Toilet water treatment

Abstract

A toilet tank comprises at least one container configured to hold a dissolvable compound, a cap removable from the container to load the dissolvable compound into the container, and at least one opening for water to enter the container and for water and dissolved compound to exit the container. The container may include a first chamber with a first dissolvable compound for anti-scale treatment and a second container with a second dissolvable compound for cleaning.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority benefit of Provisional Application No. 63 / 725,237 filed on November 26, 2024, China Patent Application No. 202511607918.7 filed on 5 November, 2025, and U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 384,718 filed on November 10, 2025, which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present application relates generally to the treatment of water in a water tank of a water flow within or to a toilet tank.BACKGROUND

[0003] This application relates generally to the field of cleaning systems configured to dispense cleaning compounds for use in and around toilets to improve the cleanliness in and around the toilets. Built-up deposits can lead to undesirable odors and stains, as well as harbor germs and bacteria. It would be advantageous to provide a toilet having cleaning systems (e.g., internal, external) that provide improved cleanliness to address the aforementioned problems, such as prohibiting or reducing scale and / or providing odor abatement.SUMMARY

[0004] One embodiment of the present application provides A toilet comprising: a tank; a fill valve configured to regulate a flow of water into the tank; and a water treatment device coupled to the fill valve and supported within the tank, wherein the water treatment device is configured to treat the flow of water into the tank.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present application also provides a toilet comprising: a tank; a fill valve configured to regulate a flow of water into the tank; an input pipe fluidly coupled to the fill valve; a water treatment device coupled to the input pipe and supported outside of the tank, wherein the water treatment device is configured to treat the flow of water into the tank.

[0006] Yet another embodiment of the present application also provides a method for toilet tank water treatment, the method comprising: opening a flush valve, coupled to a toilet tank, according to a flush cycle; opening a fill valve, coupled to the toilet tank, according to the flush cycle; and treating water at a water treatment device coupled to the fill valve.

[0007] Another embodiment of the present application also provides a toilet tank comprising: a container configured to hold a dissolvable compound; a cap removable from the container to load the dissolvable compound into the container; and at least one opening for water to enter the container and for water and dissolved compound to exit the container.

[0008] Yet another embodiment of the present application also provides a toilet tank comprising: a fill valve; a flush valve; a first chamber connected to the fill valve and configured to hold a first dissolvable compound; a second chamber connected to the flush valve and configured to hold a second dissolvable compound; and at least one passage fluidly connecting the first chamber and the second chamber.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to the following drawings, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an example toilet for use with a water treatment system. FIG. 2 illustrates an example tank with an internal water treatment system. FIG. 3 illustrates an example tank with an external water treatment system. FIG. 4 illustrates an example electronic flush valve and / or electronic disinfection system. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate an example polyphosphate container. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a toilet tank including the example polyphosphate container. FIG. 7A illustrates another embodiment of a polyphosphate container. FIG. 7B illustrate a toilet tank including the polyphosphate container of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A illustrates another embodiment of a polyphosphate container. FIG. 8B illustrate a toilet tank including the polyphosphate container of FIG. 8A. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a dual chamber water treatment device. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an example of polyphosphate container. FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate another example of polyphosphate container. FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another example of polyphosphate container. FIG. 13 illustrates another example of polyphosphate container. FIG. 14 illustrates an example columnar polyphosphate container. FIG. 15 illustrates an example columnar polyphosphate container with multiple water inputs. FIG. 16A illustrates an example toilet with an internal columnar water treatment device. FIG. 16B illustrates an example toilet with an external columnar water treatment device. FIGS. 17A-C illustrate an example toilet and in-line water treatment device. FIG. 18 illustrates an accessory for a toilet including an example of polyphosphate container. FIG. 19 illustrates an example controller for any of the water treatment and disinfection systems. FIG. 20 illustrates an example flow chart for the controller of FIG. 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The following embodiments include apparatus and techniques for disinfection and reduction of scale in the interior of a toilet tank and / or one or more water flows associated with the toilet tank. A water treatment device may be placed with the toilet tank to treat water as in enters the toilet tank through one or more fill valves. In other examples, the water treatment device may be placed in line with a water supply or input pipe that supplies the flow of water to the one or more fill valves.

[0011] The following embodiments include devices and techniques for the reduction, mitigation, or prevention of scale in plumbing devices and / or disinfection of plumbing devices. The plumbing devices may include pipes, faucets, bathtubs, showers, water softeners, water heaters, toilets or other devices. The term "plumbing fixture" refers to an apparatus that is connected to a plumbing system of a house, building or another structure. The term "bathroom fixture" may more specifically refer to individual types of plumbing fixtures found in the bathroom. The term "kitchen fixture" may more specifically refer to individual types of plumbing fixtures found in the kitchen.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an example toilet (plumbing device) for use with a water treatment system. Referring to FIG. 1, a toilet 1100 with the water treatment system is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The toilet 1100 may include a tank (e.g., container, reservoir, etc.), shown as a tank 101, and a pedestal (e.g., base, stand, support, etc.), shown as a pedestal 1104. The tank 101 may be coupled to, and supported by, the pedestal 1104, which may be positioned on a floor. In some embodiments, the tank 101 and the pedestal 1104 may be formed together as a single component. In some other examples, the tank 101 may be mounted nearby on a wall, or within a wall. The tank 101 is configured to receive water (e.g., via a fill valve of the toilet 1100, etc.) and store the water in between flushes. The pedestal 1104 includes a bowl 1105 and may be configured to receive the water from the tank 101 to flush contents of bowl into a sewage line. In some embodiments, the pedestal 1104 may be mounted on the wall of a lavatory and the bowl may be configured to receive water from a fluid supply source such as a household water supply.

[0013] The bowl 1105 of the pedestal 1104 includes a sump (e.g. a receptacle) and an outlet opening, wherein water and waste is collected in the sump until being removed through the outlet opening, such as when the contents of the bowl are flushed into a sewage line, septic system, or other sanitary system. The toilet 1100 further includes a trapway, and the trapway may be fluidly connected to the bowl via the sump. The trapway fluidly connects the sump to the outlet opening.

[0014] The actuator 14 or flush mechanism may be a button configured to activate when depressed (or pulled) a predetermined distance or when touched, a lever configured to activate when rotated a predetermined angular travel, or any suitable device configured to activate based upon an input manipulation by a user.

[0015] It should be noted that the shapes and configurations of the tank, pedestal, seat assembly, and the internal components (including the trapway and other features) may vary from the examples shown and described herein, and that the examples disclosed herein are not intended as limitations. It should be noted that various components of the toilet may be made of vitreous china. It should be noted that various components of the toilet may be polymeric and / or over molded or otherwise fixed to the toilet. It should be noted, for example, that although the toilet 1100 is shown configured with the tank 101 formed separately from the pedestal 1104 and later coupled to the pedestal, the tank 101 may be integrally formed with the pedestal 1104 as a one-piece design. In other words, the toilet may be a one-piece design, a two-piece design, or have any suitable configuration. The toilet disclosed herein may have a wide variety of skirted toilet configurations, and all such configurations are intended to be encompassed herein. The following description of various toilet features is therefore intended only to illustrate several examples according to the present disclosure, and it should be understood by those reviewing the present description that similar concepts or features may be included in various other examples.

[0016] The tank 101 may include an inlet opening configured to receive water from a coupled water supply, such as from a hose (e.g., line, tube). The tank 101 may also include an inlet valve assembly or other device configured to control the flow of water from the water supply into the tank through the inlet opening. Within the tank 101 may be provided a float device for controlling the inlet valve assembly, such as by opening the valve to refill the container of the tank 101 after an operational cycle and closing the valve when the water in the container reaches a preset volume or height. The tank 101 may also include an outlet opening configured to transfer (e.g., conduct) the water stored in the container of the tank 101 to the pedestal 1104 upon activation of the actuator 14. The pedestal 1104 may include toilet bowl 1105. The tank 101 may include an outlet valve assembly or other device configured to control the flow of water from the tank 101 into the pedestal 1104 through the outlet opening.

[0017] The pedestal 1104 (or base) of the toilet 1100 may include a wall having any suitable shape that is configured to form a bowl 1105 having an opening formed by an upper rim at the top of the opening. The pedestal 1104 may also be configured to include a one or more walls having varying shapes that together form a bowl having an opening formed by a rim. The wall of the pedestal 1104 may extend downward and / or rearward from the bowl 1105 to form a lower portion configured to support the pedestal 1104 and the toilet 1100. The lower portion may be formed by the end (e.g., lower rim) of the wall, or may include a member that extends generally in a horizontal plane from one or more than one end of the wall. The outlet valve assembly may control the flow of water from the tank 101 to the pedestal 1104. The toilet 1100 may also include a gasket or seal that is provided between the tank 101 and the pedestal 1104 to prohibit leaking. For example, a gasket may be provided between the outlet opening of the tank 101 and the inlet opening of the pedestal 1104 to prohibit leaking between the tank and the pedestal 1104.

[0018] The pedestal 1104 may also provide for coupling of the seat assembly 17 to the pedestal 1104 of the toilet 1100. For example, the top member may include one or more than one opening, wherein each opening is configured to receive a fastening device (e.g., bolt, screw, etc.) to couple (e.g., attach) the seat assembly 17 to the top member of the pedestal 1104. As another example, the top member may include one or more than one fastening device (e.g., bolts, recessed nuts, etc.) integrally formed therein (i.e., already provided connected or coupled to the pedestal 1104), wherein the fastening device may be used to couple or secure at least a portion of the seat assembly 17 to the pedestal 1104. The seat assembly 17 may include a hinge, hinge shoulders configured to receive a fastener, a seat coupled to the hinge and a cover coupled to the hinge.

[0019] The bowl 1105 of the pedestal 1104 may be configured to include a receptacle (e.g., sump) and an outlet opening, wherein the water and waste is collected in the receptacle until being removed through the outlet opening, such as upon activation of the actuator 14. The pedestal 1104 may also include a pedestal internal passageway, such as a trapway, that connects the outlet opening or discharge outlet of the bowl 1105 to a drain or soil pipe. The passageway, or trapway, generally includes a first portion, a second portion, and a weir separating the first and second portions. The first portion of the passageway may extend from the outlet opening of the bowl 1105 at an upwardly oblique angle to the weir. The second portion of the passageway may extend from the weir downwardly to the exiting device, such as the drain or soil pipe.

[0020] Between operational cycles (e.g., flush cycles) of the toilet 1100, the water (and waste) is collected in the first portion of the trapway (in addition to the receptacle of the bowl), such that the weir prohibits the water from passing past the weir and into the second portion of the trapway. A flushing cycle may begin upon activation of the actuator 14. Upon activation of the actuator, additional water may be discharged into the bowl 1105 of the pedestal 1104, resulting in the flushing action and waste removal through the soil pipe. The flushing cycle may include generation of a siphon to assist the flushing action and waste removal.

[0021] The seat assembly 17 may include a cover member 18 (e.g., lid), a seat member (e.g., ring member), and a hinge. The seat member may be configured to include an annular member that encircles an opening, wherein the annular member provides a seating surface for the user of the toilet 1100. The seat member may also be pivotally coupled (e.g., attached) to the hinge, wherein the seat member may rotate (or pivot) about the hinge, such as between a first lowered or seated position and a second raised or upright position. The cover member 18 may be configured to be round, oval, or any other suitable shape. Typically, the profile or shape of the outer surface of the cover member will be configured to match (i.e., to be substantially similar) to the profile of the outer surface of the seat member to improve the aesthetics of the seat assembly and toilet. The cover member 18 may also be coupled to the hinge, wherein the cover member may rotate (or pivot) about the hinge, such as between a first lowered or down position and a second raised or upright position. The cover member 18 may be provided above the seat member in the down position to thereby cover the opening of the seat member, as well as to conceal the inside of the bowl 1105 of the pedestal 1104. The cover member 18 may be configured to rest against the outside surface of the tank 101, when the cover member 18 is in the upright position, such that the cover member 18 remains in the upright position in order for a user to sit upon the seat member.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an example tank 101 including a lid or cover 128, a base or frame 131, a flush valve 121, a fill valve 123, and a water treatment device 125 that is internal to the water tank 101. The water treatment device 125 may be integrated with or otherwise coupled to the fill valve 123. The water treatment device 125 may be integrated with or otherwise coupled to the flush valve 121. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an example tank 101 including a lid or cover 128, a base or frame 131, a flush valve 121, a fill valve 123, and a water treatment device 125. A water supply pipe 127 (input pipe) provides water from a water supply to the fill valve 123. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0024] The following embodiments include example implementations of the water treatment devices 125 that may be applied to the embodiment of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3. Each of the water treatment device 125 may be combined with a cleaning compound dispensing device.Beads or template assisted crystallization.

[0025] The water treatment device 125 may include a pretreatment with beads or template assisted crystallization (TAC). TAC beads are configured to neutralize the molecular charge of one or more elements that cause scale. Example elements include calcium and magnesium. The neutralized elements do not attach to the tank 101, fill valve 123, and flush valve 121. Instead, the neutralized elements flow through the bowl and sump as part of the flush cycle.Two chemicals in saturator.

[0026] The water treatment device 125 may include in-flow treatment of the water with two chemicals. One example includes a combination of a chlorine (ClO2) puck and polyphosphates. Another example includes a chlorine (ClO2) puck and citric acid.Magnetic scale filter

[0027] The water treatment device 125 may include an in-flow magnetic filter. The water treatment device 125 may include at least one storage cavity for materials filters from the water. The water treatment device 125 may include at least one magnet that comes in contact with the flow of water. An example magnet may be formed from neodynium and produce a magnetic field of at least 10,000 gauss. The water treatment device 125 may utilize electrolytic principles.Pretreatment with magnetic device.

[0028] The water treatment device 125 may include a clamping device that clamps over the water supply pipe 127. The clamping device may include one or more springs that apply a force to hold the water treatment device 125 to the water supply pipe 127. Inside the water treatment device 125 is a plurality of magnets arranged in a predetermined pattern to mitigate biofilm and mineral scale from inside the water supply pipe 127.

[0029] The water treatment device 125 may include one or more internal diverters that are configured to provide a force or steering action on the flow of water through the water supply pipe 127. The one or more internal diverters may include at least one spiral drove that causes swirling in the flow of water to separate particles from the flow of water. The water treatment device 125 may cause particles to break apart in the flow of water.

[0030] In one example, the water treatment device 125 may include two strong magnetics on opposite sides of the water supply 127. The water passes through a uniform magnetic field between the two magnets. The magnetic field is configured to change the structure of the deposits that form in the water, mitigating or preventing adherence to the tank 101, fill valve 123, and flush valve 121.Ion exchange filter.

[0031] The water treatment device 125 may include an ion exchange filter configured to inhibit water scale. The water treatment device 125 may include an ion exchange resin configured to exchanged charged ions in the water for ions (e.g., H+ and OH-). The resin may be formed in resin beads that attached hard water particles.Alloy scale reduction.

[0032] The water treatment device 125 may include a multi-element alloy configured to release free electrons. The water treatment device 125 may reduce scale formation from one or more elements such as magnesium (Mg 2+< ) and calcium (Ca 2+< ).Nanobubble and / or microbubble.

[0033] The water treatment device 125 may include a nanobubble generator. The nanobubble generator may be configured to transform gases in the water to nanobubbles (e.g., bubbles with a diameter less than 50 microns) that are configured to mitigate or prevent the deposit of scale within the water supply 127, fill valve 123, or elsewhere in the tank 101.

[0034] The treatment generation device 125 may generate microbubbles. The term microbubbles may be used to describe bubbles with diameters that are approximately from 1 to 100 µm. Additional bubbles may be present when microbubbles are generated such as bubbles with diameters from 100 to 1000 µm or larger. Microbubbles may have a lifetime duration before implosion in water. In one example, the lifetime duration may be at least 1 minute. In some examples, the lifetime duration is in the range of about 2 to 4 minutes. In one example, an air stream under pressure is dissolved into liquid with a nozzle to generate bubbles under the cavitation principle. The nozzle may be a venturi tube. In cavitation the static pressure of a liquid is below the liquid's vapor pressure, causing vapor filled cavities to form. The vapor pressure is the pressured in thermodynamic equilibrium with the other phases (liquid and solid) at a specific temperature. In another example, microbubbles are formed from ultrasound to induce cavitation in the liquid. In another example, microbubbles are formed through a shearing force. The air stream is provided under low pressure and bubbles are broken off into the liquid using the shearing force. The shearing force may be a vibration, provided from fluidic oscillation, or other methods.

[0035] Microbubbles may provide a variety of benefits in a variety of applications. Some benefits may be considered water treatments. Some benefits may improve the feel, texture, and appearance of the water. Water with microbubbles may feel silky to the touch and may increase moisture level when in contact with the human body such as skin and hear. In addition, microbubbles may enhance the surface cleaning, dirt removal, oil removal, and cosmetics removal abilities of the water. Water with microbubbles may aid in removal of scale buildup on surfaces.

[0036] In some examples, the microbubbles experience cavitation, resulting in an implosion of the bubbles to release hydroxyl radicals and causing physiochemical transformations in the water. In some examples, the microbubbles have an electrostatic charge on or associated with the surface of the bubble such that the presence of the bubble treats or otherwise affects the water before the microbubbles ultimately implode. The electrostatic charge on the microbubbles may be negative.

[0037] The generation device 125 may include at least one electrical input to a power source and at least one air input to an air source (e.g., a pump). The bubble generation device 160 may receive commands from the controller 100. The controller 100 may instruct the generation device 160 when to start generating bubbles (e.g., initiation command) and when to stop generating bubbles (e.g., stop command). The command from the controller 100 may include a size or a size range from the generation device 160. The generation device 160 may adjust a parameter of the bubble generation process. In one example, the parameter is a magnitude of the shearing force for bubble generation. In one example, the parameter is a flow of an air stream for generating microbubbles. In one example, the parameter may be a magnitude of a vibration or fluid oscillation.Electric field inhibitor.

[0038] The water treatment device 125 may include an electric field generator configured to mitigate or prevent scale within the water supply 127, fill valve 123, or elsewhere in the tank 101. The electric field generator is configured to generate an oscillating electric field within the flow of water. The oscillating electric field may have a low frequency tuned to one or more elements or particles in the flow of water. The oscillating electric field may prevent or otherwise alter the way that elements (e.g., limescale or calcium) bond to each other or clump together. In other words, the oscillating electric field may prevent the clumping of elements in the water and / or inhibit the property of the elements that facilitate adherence to the pipe surfaces, or other plumbing fixture surfaces.Acid filter.

[0039] The water treatment device 125 may include an acid filter configured to reduce the pH of the water flow through the water supply 127 or in the tank 101. A more acidic flow of water increases the solubility of minerals in the water, reducing scale buildup.RF scale prevention.

[0040] The water treatment device 125 may include a radio frequency (RF) generator configured to generate a pulsed radio frequency signal. The RF signal passes through the water supply and encourages a chemical reaction that causes mineral ions to combine in suspension rather than adherence to surfaces.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates another example in which the flush valve 121 is electronically controlled. The float F or other sensor provides sensor data to the controller 100 indicative of a water level in the tank 101. The controller 100 provides commands to the flush plate V or an actuator coupled to the flush plate V. The actuator may include a motor or a solenoid. The controller 100 determined whether the water is below a predetermined threshold (e.g., the threshold may be the smallest measurable water level). The controller 100 may maintain the flush plate V of the flush valve 121 in an open state until the predetermined threshold has been reached. When the predetermined threshold has been reached the controller 100 may close the flush plate V.

[0042] In another example, the flush plate V may be replaced with a pump. The controller 100 instructs the pump to pump water from the tank 101 when the until the predetermined threshold has been reached. When the predetermined threshold has been reached the controller 100 may turn off the pump.

[0043] The controller 100 may also communicate with a disinfection system 102. The disinfection system 102 may be implemented according to any of the following embodiments. The controller 100 may send instructions or commands to the disinfection system 102. For example, when the controller 100 has determined the water has been emptied completely from the tank 101, the controller 100 may instruct the disinfection system 102 to disinfect the interior of the tank 101. The disinfection dispenser 102 is configured to dispense a disinfection material into the toilet tank 101 and the at least one disinfection channel extending from the drain opening of the toilet tank to the pedestal for the toilet.

[0044] While described and illustrated in toilet tanks, the disinfection system 102 may be implemented in toilet bowls, trapways for toilets, trapways for lavatories, whirlpool harnesses, garbage disposals, sinks, fruits / vegetable washers, scents dispensers, humidifiers, or other devices.

[0045] Also shown in FIG. 4, the flush valve 121 may include any of the water treatment devices 125 (or other water treatment devices described herein). In some examples, both the fill valve 123 and the flush valve include a water treatment device 125 and in some examples, the water treatment device 125 is omitted from the fill valve 123. The water treatment device 125 of the flush valve 121 may be a cartridge that is removable for refill of the TAC beads or other material. The water treatment device 125 may lock in and out of place with a quarter turn. The water treatment device 125 may slide vertically with respect to the flush valve 121 for removal and replacement.

[0046] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate an example three views of a polyphosphate container 200. The polyphosphate container 200 includes a hook 203, a support arm 204, a cavity 206 or body, and a cap 205. The hook 203 is configured to connect the toilet tank and the container 200. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0047] The cavity 206 may include one or more beads 201. The beads 201 may be formed of a dissolvable compound or another type of dissolvable materials. The beads 201 may include at least a polyphosphate comprising multiple phosphate units linked by shared oxygen atoms. The polyphosphate may be a salt or ester. The beads 201 of polyphosphate may be template assisted crystallization (TAC) beads. TAC beads are configured to neutralize the molecular charge of one or more elements that cause scale. Example elements include calcium and magnesium.

[0048] The cavity 206 may include openings 202. The openings 202 may be spaced apart based on the size (e.g., diameter) of the beads 201. When the beads 201 are installed or before they have substantially dissolved, the beads 201 may be visible through the openings 202. That is, the beads 201 may nest within the openings 202. That is the dissolved compound is spherical and aligns with the openings 202.

[0049] The openings 202 allow water to freely flow from the toilet tank into the cavity 206 and from the cavity 206 into the toilet tank. One or more of the openings 202 may be designated based on placement or position to allow water to flow into the cavity 206, and another one of the openings 202 may be designated based on placement or position to allow water to flow out of the cavity 206. For at least one opening 202, water flows into the cavity 206 at one time and water and dissolved compound exits or flows out of the cavity 206 at another time.

[0050] The cavity 206 may include a large opening or top opening for loading the beads 201 into the cavity 206. The top opening may be selectively covered by the cap 205. The cap 205 is removable from the container 200 to load the beads 201. The cap 205 may be partially removable (e.g., permanently joined at a hinge on one side of the top opening) or fully removable. Both sides of the polyphosphate container 221 may include a cap 205. The openings for the caps 205 are a plurality of openings submerged in the toilet tank 250.

[0051] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a toilet tank 250 housing and supporting the example polyphosphate container 200. The toilet tank 250 includes a tank body 210 that is configured to house and support water for flushing of the toilet. The toilet tank 250 includes a flush handle 214, a fill valve 421, a float 420, a flush valve 212, and a tube 213, connecting the fill valve 421 and the flush valve 212. The toilet tank 250 may be fastened or coupled to a pedestal of the toilet or based of the toilet including a toilet bowl. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0052] When the water level is below a threshold level, for example after a water is released for flushing, the float 420 rests on the water and is lowered to turn on or open the fill valve 421. With the fill valve 421 open, water is supplied into the toilet tank body 210. The toilet tank 250 is refilled passed the threshold level, and the fill valve 421 is turned off. Later, when the flush cycle is restarted, for example, by operating the flush handle 214, the flush valve 212 is opened to release the water in the tank body 210 into the toilet bowl, flushing and evacuating the contents of the toilet bowl. In the embodiment of FIG. 6A and 6B, the polyphosphate container 200 is separate from the flush valve 212 and fill valve 421 system. Water generally circulates through the tank body 210. That is, as water is supplied through the fill valve 421 there is a small current of water that distributes the dissolved material from the polyphosphate container 200 to other portions of the tank body 210. The system of FIGS. 6A and 6B may be referred to as a passive polyphosphate system because the polyphosphate container 200 is not connected to either the flush valve 212 or the fill valve 421. One or more embodiments described below may be considered an active polyphosphate system because the polyphosphate container 200 is connected to the flush valve 212, the fill valve 421, or both.

[0053] FIG. 7A illustrates another embodiment of a polyphosphate container 221 configured to reduce scale build up in a toilet. The polyphosphate container 221 includes a U-shape for body 206. The body 206 may take other shapes such as substantially circular, S-shaped, linear, or V-shaped. The beads 201 (polyphosphate beads) may be placed in the body 206. For example, the cap 205 may be removed (e.g., unscrewed) and the beads 201 may be dropped into the body 206. The cap 205 may be replaced on the body 206 after the beads 201 are loaded. In other examples, the cap 205 may be fastened to the body 206 through a fiction fit. Other locking mechanisms are possible.

[0054] FIG. 7B illustrate a toilet tank including the polyphosphate container 221 of FIG. 7A in combination with a cleaning device 220. In FIG. 6B, the toilet tank 210 including the fill valve 421 and the flush valve 212 is illustrated. A fill valve 421 may be configured to control a volume or flow of water into the tank 210. The fill valve 420 may be in fluid communication with an input of the polyphosphate container 221 through input tube 216 (polyphosphate container input conduit). The polyphosphate container 221 may be connected to the cleaning device 220 through tube 217 (polyphosphate container output conduit). In other words, the tube 217 connects an output of the polyphosphate container 221 to the input of the cleaning device 220. In this way, the dissolved material from the polyphosphate container 221 is provided with water through tube 217 to the cleaning device 220. The output of the cleaning device 220 may be connected to the flush valve 212 through an output tube 218 (cleaning device output conduit). In this way, the dissolved material from the polyphosphate container 221 and the dissolved material from the cleaning device 200 are mixed together and provided through the tube 218 to the flush valve 212. The water including both dissolved materials are provided to the tank 210 and / or the toilet bowl.

[0055] Specifically, the tube 217 may be coupled to an inlet connector of the cleaning device 220. The valve 421 may be configured to control a volume or flow of water provided to the cleaning device 220. In some examples, the valve 421 may include a float device 521 for controlling the inlet valve, such as by opening the valve to refill the tank 210 and provide water to the cleaning device 220 after an operational cycle and closing the valve when the water in the tank reaches a preset volume or height. In some examples, the fill valve 421 may be configured to provide a volume of water to the cleaning device 220 (e.g., via first conduit 217) and a volume of water directly to the tank 210 or flush valve 212. The flush valve 212 may be configured to control a flow of water and / or a cleaning solution based on the dissolved compound from polyphosphate container 221 and / or a cleaning solution based on the dissolved compound from the cleaning device 220 from the tank 250 into the toilet (e.g., pedestal, rim channel, sump jet channel, bowl, sump, trapway, and the like). In some embodiments the water with dissolved chlorine and / or dissolved polyphosphates is provided directly to the rim.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7B, the tube 217 is in two parts. An upstream part 217A connects the container 221 to a splitter 50 (e.g., T-connector, three way connector) and a downstream part 217B connects the splitter to the cleaning device 220.The splitter 50 divides the flow of water leaving the container 221 including the dissolved polyphosphate so that this water is used to fill the tank. Water drips from the splitter 50 into the tank. In this way, the chlorine or other cleaner from the cleaning device 220 is prevented from being released into the tank where certain chemicals may impart (e.g., degrade seals or rubber parts). The water with the chlorine solution from cleaning device 220 is provided then (e.g., through the overflow tube) to the toilet bowl, rim, sump, and / or other components in the pedestal portion of the toilet. The splitter may be sized to proportionally divide the water provided to the tank and the water provided to the cleaning device 220. More water may be provided to the tank from the splitter 50 than to the cleaning device 220.

[0057] Stated another way, all of the water from the polyphosphate container 221 is split between the tank and the cleaning device 220 such that water with the first dissolved compound it provided to the toilet tank and the cleaning device. In the cleaning device, the second dissolved compound is added to the water, which is provided to the toilet bowl.

[0058] The flush valve 421 may be in fluid communication with the cleaning device 220 via the tube 218. Specifically, the tube 218 may be coupled to an outlet connector of the cleaning device 220. The cleaning device 220 may provide a flow of water and / or cleaning solution to the flush valve 212, for example, while the fill valve 421 is open. The flush valve 212 may provide the volume of cleaning solution from the cleaning device 220 to the tank 250 and / or another component of the toilet. Specifically, in some examples the flush valve 212 provide a flow of water and / or a cleaning solution based on the dissolved compound from polyphosphate container 221 and / or a cleaning solution based on the dissolved compound from the cleaning device 220 directly to the tank 250.

[0059] FIG. 8A illustrates another embodiment of a polyphosphate container 22 configured to reduce scale build up in a toilet. FIG. 8B illustrate a toilet tank including the polyphosphate container 222 of FIG. 8A. Operation of the devices of FIGS. 8A and 8B may be similar to that described by FIGS. 7A and 7B.

[0060] FIG. 8A further illustrates that the polyphosphate container 222 may include beads 201 in multiple rows. In other words, the beads 201 may form a linear arrangement in three dimensions. The body 206 includes beads 201 that are arranged linearly in a horizontal direction. The body 206 includes beads 201 that are arranged linearly in a vertical direction. The body 206 includes beads 201 that are arranged linearly in a depth direction.

[0061] FIG. 8A further illustrates that the polyphosphate container 220 may include multiple coatings or materials for the body 206. As shown in FIG. 8A, at least a portion of the polyphosphate container 222 includes a reflective coating 223. At least a portion of the polyphosphate container 200 includes a transparent, semitransparent, or translucent material 224.

[0062] FIG. 8B, includes a splitter 50 (e.g., T-connector, three way connector) between the tube 217 and the polyphosphate container 222. The splitter 50 divides the flow of water leaving the polyphosphate container 222 including the dissolved polyphosphate so that this water is used to fill the tank. Water drips from the splitter 50 into the tank. In this way, the chlorine or other cleaner from the polyphosphate container 222 is prevented from being released into the tank where certain chemicals may impart (e.g., degrade seals or rubber parts). The water with the chlorine solution from cleaning device 220 is provided then (e.g., through the overflow tube) to the toilet bowl, rim, sump, and / or other components in the pedestal portion of the toilet. In some embodiments the water with dissolved chlorine and / or dissolved polyphosphates is provided directly to the rim.

[0063] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrates a dual chamber water treatment device 230 in which a polyphosphate solution and a cleaning solution are distributed by a single device. FIG. 9A is a top view of the dual chamber water treatment device 230. FIG. 9B is a side view of the dual chamber water treatment device 230. The water treatment device 230 includes a first chamber 232 and a second chamber 233 connected by at least one passage 231. The first chamber 232 and the second chamber 233 may be enclosed in a single housing. The first chamber 232 includes at least one input 235 and at least one output 234. The second chamber 233 includes at least one output 236. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0064] The first chamber 232 may include a polyphosphate solution and may be referred to as a polyphosphate chamber. The second chamber 233 may include hypochlorous acid (HOCI) or another weak acid or other acidic solution that contains chlorine.

[0065] Water may be provided to input 235 from a tube or conduit connected to a fill valve. Alternatively, the input 235 may be directly connected to a water supply. Water may freely flow into the first chamber and when the water level reaches the passage 231, the water including at least some polyphosphate may flow into the second chamber 233.

[0066] Water may also flow from the first chamber 232 to the tank through the output 234. In some examples, the output 234 is at the top of the first chamber 232 so that the water including polyphosphate may flow into the tank through the output 234. In other examples, the output 234 may be on a side or lower portion of the first chamber 232.

[0067] Water in the second chamber 233 mixes with the hypochlorous acid. Thus, at least some of the water in the second chamber 233 includes the polyphosphate and is mixed or otherwise dilutes the hypochlorous acid. The water expelled through output 236 includes both the hypochlorous acid and the polyphosphate and is provides through one or more passages to the toilet bowl (e.g., pedestal, rim channel, sump jet channel, sump, trapway, or others).

[0068] As shown in FIG. 9B, the first chamber 232 may include a polyphosphate such as beads 201 (e.g., TAC beads) and may be referred to as a polyphosphate chamber. The second chamber 233 may include hypochlorous tablets 601 or another solute that includes chlorine. Other tablets that dissolve in water to form a weak acid may be used.

[0069] Water may be provided to input 245 from a tube or conduit connected to a fill valve. Alternatively, the input 245 may be directly connected to a water supply. Water may freely flow into the first chamber and when the water level reaches the passage 241, the water including at least some dissolved polyphosphate may flow into the second chamber 243.

[0070] Water in the second chamber 243 mixes with the hypochlorous acid at water level 247. The height of the water level 247 may impact the concentration of the hypochlorous acid. Thus, at least some of the water in the second chamber 243 includes the dissolved polyphosphate compound and is mixed or otherwise combined with the water and dissolved hypochlorous tablet. The water expelled through output 246 includes both the dissolved hypochlorous compound and the dissolved chlorine material. The water including both dissolved compounds is provided through one or more passages to the toilet bowl (e.g., pedestal, rim channel, sump jet channel, sump, trapway, or others).

[0071] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an example of combined polyphosphate and cleaning compound water treatment device 260. The water treatment device 260 includes an inlet 251, an outlet 252, a hanging support 253, a concentration knob 254, a lid 255, and a reservoir 256. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0072] The housing includes reservoir 256 configured to store a polyphosphate, a cleaning compound and a volume of water. As described above, the polyphosphate may be a tablet or a solution. The polyphosphate may begin as a tablet and dissolve into a solution. Similarly, the chorine may be a tablet or a solution. The chlorine may begin as a tablet and dissolve into a solution. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the reservoir 256 may be a hollow or open space (e.g., a compartment) disposed within the housing. FIG. 10A illustrates a lid 255 selectively providing access to the reservoir 256. For example, a user may place one or more units of the polyphosphate and / or cleaning compound in the reservoir when the lid 255 is disposed in the upward or open position. In some examples, the lid 255 may be transparent allowing a user to check a quantity of the polyphosphate and cleaning compound disposed in the reservoir 256 by looking through the transparent lid 255. The lid 255 is at least one cap removable from the reservoir 256 to load the first dissolvable compound and / or the second dissolvable compound.

[0073] The cleaning compound, the polyphosphate compound, and a volume of water provided to the reservoir 256 may be configured to mix or react with one another in the reservoir 256 to form or produce an anti-scaling solution. According to some examples, a volume of water may be provided to the reservoir 256 by a fill valve disposed in the tank of the toilet. The anti-scaling solution may be provided or dispensed from the reservoir 256 to the toilet bowl.

[0074] The inlet connector 251 and the outlet connector 252 may be coupled to (e.g., the same) one of the second pair of sides of the water treatment device 260. The inlet connector 251 may be in communication with a water source, such as an inlet valve of a toilet and may be configured to conduct or provide a flow or volume of water. The outlet connector 252 may be configured to provide or conduct a flow of cleaning solution to a flush valve and / or an interior of a toilet tank. A conduit (e.g., hose, tube) may extend between the outlet connecter 252 and a flush valve and / or interior of a toilet tank. In some examples, the anti-scale solution may be provided directly to an interior of the toilet tank. In other examples, the anti-scale solution may be provided to a flush valve and subsequently from the flush valve to an interior of the tank. In some examples, the cleaning solution may be provided (e.g., via a conduit, flush valve) to a rim channel, sump jet channel, or bowl of the toilet without being introduced to an interior of the toilet tank.

[0075] The water treatment device may further include a diffuser 257 in communication with the reservoir 256. The diffuser 257 may be configured to provide or conduct a volume of water to the reservoir and provide or conduct a volume of polyphosphate solution from the reservoir 256. Specifically, the diffuser 257 may include a tube including a plurality of openings in communication with the reservoir 256. In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the tube may have a substantially "U" shape. The tube may be configured to both conduct a volume or flow of water to the reservoir 256 and conduct a volume or flow of cleaning solution from the reservoir 256. Specifically, the tube 501 may introduce a volume of water to the reservoir 256. The volume of water introduced to the reservoir 256 may mix with the cleaning compound, in some examples, dissolving (e.g., a portion of) the cleaning compound, forming a cleaning solution. In some examples, in addition to mixing with the cleaning compound, a volume of water introduced to the reservoir may also mix with a volume of cleaning solution (i.e., a volume of water previously introduced to the reservoir and mixed with the cleaning compound).

[0076] Referring to FIG. 10B, in some examples, the water treatment device 260 may further include a dial 254. In some examples, the dial 254 may be configured to control a concentration of the polyphosphate solution in the reservoir 256, such as by rotating the dial between two or more settings. For example, the dial 254 may control a degree and / or a duration of opening or closing of one or more valves supplying water to the reservoir, thus controlling a volume of water supplied to the reservoir 256 and a concentration of a cleaning solution. In other examples, the dial 254 may be configured to change a volume or quantity of cleaning solution dispensed by the water treatment device 260, such as by rotating the dial 254 between two or more settings.

[0077] The water treatment device 260 may further include a hanger 253. The hanger 253 may be used to couple the device 250 to a side or wall of a toilet tank. Specifically, the hanger 253 may have a hook shape.

[0078] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrates another example of a water treatment device 260 including a first housing having a polyphosphate container or chamber 258 and a second housing having a chlorine chamber 259. The water treatment device 260 includes an inlet 261, an outlet 262, a hanging support 263, a concentration knob 254, and a lid 255. The chlorine chamber 259 included in the second housing may be supported by the toilet tank via the hanging support 263. The polyphosphate chamber 258 included in the first housing may be supported by the chlorine chamber 258.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 11B, an inlet 265 of the second housing may connect the chlorine chamber 259 to the polyphosphate chamber 258 so that water including the dissolved polyphosphate flows from the polyphosphate chamber 258 to the chlorine chamber 259. Further, an outlet 266 of the second housing may connect chlorine chamber 259 to the polyphosphate chamber 258 so that water including the dissolved chlorine as well as the dissolved polyphosphate flows from the chlorine chamber 259 to the polyphosphate chamber 258. Finally, the water including the dissolved chlorine as well as the dissolved polyphosphate flows out of the water treatment device 260 via the outlet 262. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0080] In the embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11B, the diffuser 257 and dial 254 may be included in the chlorine chamber 259 in order conduct a volume of water to the chamber 259 and provide or conduct a volume of the solution from the chamber 259. Specifically, the diffuser 257 may include a tube including a plurality of openings in communication with the reservoir 256. In other examples, both the polyphosphate chamber 258 and the chlorine chamber 259 may include separate diffusers 257 and corresponding dials 254.

[0081] An inlet 261 into the first chamber 258 is at least one first chamber opening for water to enter the first chamber 258. An outlet 262 is at least one first chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to exit the first chamber 258. An inlet 265 is at least one second chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to enter the second chamber 259. An outlet 256 is at least one second chamber opening for water, the first dissolved compound, and the second dissolved compound to exit the second chamber 259.

[0082] FIG. 11A includes a vacuum breaker 269 configured to stop any backflow of material from the dissolved chlorine compound from the second chamber 259 into the polyphosphate chamber 258 and / or into the tank. The vacuum breaker 269 may include a plastic disc that is pressed forward by water supply pressure from the first chamber 259 to the second chamber 259. When the pressure drops, the disc has a spring back that blocks an opening of the water flow, which prevents any backflow.

[0083] FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrates another example of a water treatment device 270 having a reservoir 256. The reservoir 256 may be divided by a wall 274 into a first chamber 275 and a second chamber 276. The first chamber 275 may be connected to the fill valve and configured to hold a dissolvable compound such as a polycarbonate bead 201. The second chamber 276 may be connected to a flush valve and configured to hold a second dissolvable compound such a chlorine tablet 601. The wall 274 along with the housing of the water treatment device 270 may for at least one passage 277 that fluidly connects the first chamber 275 and the second chamber 276.

[0084] An inlet 271 into the first chamber 275 is at least one first chamber opening for water to enter the first chamber 275. An outlet 272 is at least one first chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to exit the first chamber.

[0085] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of polyphosphate container 400 and water treatment device. The polyphosphate container 400 includes a plurality of columns 401. Each column 401 includes one or more polyphosphate beads 201 or another dissolvable compound. Water flows into the polyphosphate container 400 from a water supply inlet 403 and into a distributor pipe 405. The water flows into the plurality of columns 401 and dissolves the polyphosphate beads 201 or other dissolvable compound. The distributor pipe 405 may become narrow from right to left in FIG. 13 (e.g., the inner diameter of the distributor pipe 405 may be comes smaller at distances away from the water supply inlet 403. After the plurality of columns 401 a collector pipe 402 collects the water and dissolved compound and provides the mixture to the outlet 405. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0086] FIG. 14 illustrates an example columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410. It is possible that any of the columnar arrangements described herein may also be implement as horizontal embodiments in which the device 410 is wider than it is tall (e.g., horizontal rows). Any number of horizontal rows or vertical columns may be used. At least one input 403 receives a water supply that is distributed by diffuser 407 to a plurality of water columns 401 within a housing 412. The water columns 401 may be divided by walls that extend vertically in the polyphosphate container. Alternatively, the water columns 401 may be defined according to a cylindrical structure (e.g., a vertical chamber having a circular cross section and formed from plastic or resin). Each of the water columns 401 includes a polyphosphate bead 101 or other dissolvable compound. The diffuser 407 may distribute the velocity of the water. The diffuser 407 may slow the flow of water, which increases the static pressure. The diffuser 407 may equalize (e.g., substantially equalize) the water flow among the plurality of columns 401. A collector pipe 402 receives thew water and dissolved compound from the water column 401. The collector pipe 402 is connected to return vertical pipe 406, which provides the water and dissolved compound to the outlet 404. The outlet provides the water to the toilet tank, flush valve cannister, or toilet bowl, as described herein.

[0087] The columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may include an indicator 409 to alert the user when the polyphosphate is running low. A controller may provide commands to the indicator 409. The controller may be powered by a battery, an electrical outlet, or a hydrogenator. The indicator 409 may include a light for visual alert, a speaker for audible alert, or a transmitter for an electronic alert to another device. The dissolvable material may be consumed over a predetermined time or number of flushes. The columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may detect a level of the remaining material or track a time period in order to provide the alert to the user.

[0088] In one example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may include a sensor that detects a concentration of the dissolved material in water. The sensor provides data to the controller which compares the concentration to a threshold and triggers the indicator 409 when the concentration falls below the threshold.

[0089] In one example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may count a number of flushes. The controller may count the flushes based on actuation of the flush or electronically (e.g., solenoid) powered flushes.

[0090] In one example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may trigger the indicator 409 based on a time. For example, the controller may include a timer that indicates when a predetermined time has passed. The predetermined time may be 1 year. After a year, the controller triggers the indicator 409 to instruct the user to replace the polyphosphate beads 201.

[0091] In another example, the polyphosphate beads 201 may formed with a dye that is an indicator of the lifetime of the polyphosphate beads 201. For example, the beads may include a colored dye (e.g., green) so that when green water is present in the toilet, the user is assured that the polyphosphate beads 201 are still present in the treatment device 410. In another example, the center of the beads may include a colored dye (e.g., red) so that the toilet water turns red when the polyphosphate beads 201 have dissolved to near the center, which alerts the user that the polyphosphate beads 201 should be replaced or otherwise added to the treatment device 410. These dye examples may be applied to any of the embodiments described herein.

[0092] FIG. 15 illustrates an in-take placement for the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 as part of an example water treatment device 500. The example in FIG. 15 includes two columns in the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410. The columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 is connected by multiple fluid conduits to the fill valve 411 of the toilet tank.

[0093] A fill valve assembly includes a water supply 422 (e.g., conduit, tube, connector), a float 420, and a fill valve 421. As water enters the tank from the utility through the water supply 422, a side connector 423 diverts the flow of water away from the fill valve assembly and to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 through the fill bypass tube 418. The fill bypass tube 418 connects removably to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 using a connector 424. The connector 424 may be a screw connector or a cap that connects the bypass tube 418 to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410.

[0094] Another water input may be provided to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 through tube 417 at the overflow output of the fill valve assembly. When the water level in the tank is low, such as after a flush, the float 421 falls and opens the fill valve 421 at the top of the fill valve assembly. Rather than being provided down the overflow tube to fill the sump of the toilet bowl, it is first diverted to the tube 417 and into the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410.

[0095] Within the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410, one or more polyphosphate beads 201 or other dissolvable solids is provided with the housing 412 to dissolve in the water.

[0096] There may also be two outputs to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410. A first output 413 may be provided by a tube that is connected to a cleaning device 220. Alternatively, the first output 413 may be connected to a top back to the overflow portion of the fill valve assembly. A second output 425 may be an opening, spout, or tube, that provides water including the dissolved compound back to the tank.

[0097] In this example, the tube 418 is a first tube connecting a first output of the fill valve to the container the tube 417 a second tube connecting a second output of the fill valve to the container. Further, the output 413 may connect to a third tube connecting a first output of the container 410 to the fill valve assembly. Finally, a fourth tube may connect output 425 of the container 410 to the toilet tank.

[0098] FIG. 16A illustrates an example toilet with an internal columnar water treatment device. In this example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 is connected inside of the toilet 430. The toilet 430 may be a tankless toilet or smart toilet. Water is supplied from the utility or other water source to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 and then out to the rim, sump, or other jets of the toilet 430.

[0099] FIG. 16B illustrates an example toilet with an external columnar water treatment device. In this example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 is mounted to the wall or another structure external to a toilet 440. Water is supplied from the utility or other water source to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 and then out to the rim, sump, or other jets of the toilet 440.

[0100] FIG. 17A illustrates another example external water treatment device 441 for a toilet 450. FIG. 17B illustrates the water treatment device 441 may include a housing 444 including multiple polyphosphate beads 201 or other dissolvable compounds. The housing 444 may include multiple chambers as described herein. The housing 444 may be removable. The housing 444 may clip into an upper mount 445, which includes a swivel cap 446.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 17C, a water supply hose may connect to the water treatment device 441 at connector 443. A hand valve 442 may be configured to stop the flow of water from the water supply at connector 443 into the housing 444.

[0102] When the user loads new polyphosphate beads 201 or other dissolvable solids into the housing 444, the user may turn hand valve 442 to block the water supply. Then the housing 444 may be swiveled using the swivel cap 446 to reveal an opening where the polyphosphate beads 201 are loaded. Finally, the loaded hosing is reconnected to the upper mount 445 and the hand valve 442 is turned back to the on position.

[0103] FIG. 18 illustrates another external columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 for a toilet 280. An accessory such as toile brush 271 may also be cleaned by the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410. In this example, the polyphosphate or other dissolvable solid may be dissolved in a cavity that is substantially seal by the toilet brush. For example, a base 372 of the brush may provide the cap or lid of the cavity. Thus, the accessory is cleaned by the same water that is provided to the toilet 280.

[0104] FIG. 19 illustrates an example controller for any of the anti-scale systems using electrical power (e.g., indicator 409) and / or an electronic flush valve. The controller 400 may include a processor 300, a memory 352, and a communication interface 353 for interfacing with devices or to the internet and / or other networks 346. In addition to the communication interface 353, a sensor interface may be configured to receive data from the sensors described herein or data from any source for detecting the presence of water, detecting the presence of or strength of disinfectant, detecting the actuation of a flush cycle, detecting the presence of a user or gesture, of the devices described herein. The components of the control system 400 may communicate using bus 348. The control system 400 may be connected to a workstation or another external device (e.g., control panel) and / or a database for receiving user inputs, system characteristics, and any of the values described herein.

[0105] FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart for operation of the water treatment device including an anti-scale treatment chamber and a cleaning chamber. Additional, different or fewer acts may be included.

[0106] At act S101, the controller 400 sets a timer. The timer may be a preset timer that does not change duration. The timer duration may be set by a user (e.g., from input device 355). The timer duration may be accessed from the memory 352. The timer duration may be set by a dip switch. The timer duration may be associated with a particular type of dissolvable compound placed in the water treatment device. In some instances, a separate duration may be used for the anti-scale treatment chamber and the cleaning chamber. In this example, the controller 400 may select the short of the two durations. At act S103, the controller 400 determines when the timer has reached a time durations.

[0107] At act S105, the controller 400 causes the indicator to announce that a replacement of the anti-scale compound and / or the cleaning compound. The indicator may light a visual indicator (e.g., LED). The indicator may include an audible buzzer, bell, ring, tone, or announcement.

[0108] At act S107, the controller 400 resets the timer. The timer may be reset based on a reset button (e.g., input device 355) depressed by the user when loading the anti-scale compound and / or the cleaning compound. The timer may be reset based on the opening of a lid or cap of the water treatment device. For example, a sensor may detect when the lid of the water treatment device has been removed and / or replaced.

[0109] Optionally, the control system 400 may include an input device 355 and / or a sensing circuit in communication with any of the sensors. The sensing circuit receives sensor measurements from as described above. The input device 355 may include a switch (e.g., actuator), a touchscreen coupled to or integrated with, a keyboard, a remote, a microphone for voice inputs, a camera for gesture inputs, and / or another mechanism.

[0110] Optionally, the control system 400 may include a drive unit 340 for receiving and reading non-transitory computer media 341 having instructions 342. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included. The processor 300 is configured to perform instructions 342 stored in memory 352 for executing the algorithms described herein. A display 350 may be supported by any of the components described herein. The display 350 may be combined with the user input device 355.

[0111] Processor 300 may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. Processor 300 is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory 352 or received from other computer readable media (e.g., embedded flash memory, local hard disk storage, local ROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.). The processor 300 may be a single device or combinations of devices, such as associated with a network, distributed processing, or cloud computing.

[0112] Memory 352 may include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and / or computer code for completing and / or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. Memory 352 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and / or computer instructions. Memory 352 may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. Memory 352 may be communicably connected to processor 300 via a processing circuit and may include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor 300) one or more processes described herein. For example, memory 298 may include graphics, web pages, HTML files, XML files, script code, shower configuration files, or other resources for use in generating graphical user interfaces for display and / or for use in interpreting user interface inputs to make command, control, or communication decisions.

[0113] In addition to ingress ports and egress ports, the communication interface 353 may include any operable connection. An operable connection may be one in which signals, physical communications, and / or logical communications may be sent and / or received. An operable connection may include a physical interface, an electrical interface, and / or a data interface. The communication interface 353 may be connected to a network. The network may include wired networks (e.g., Ethernet), wireless networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, or WiMax network, a Bluetooth pairing of devices, or a Bluetooth mesh network. Further, the network may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP / IP based networking protocols.

[0114] While the computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 352) is shown to be a single medium, the term "computer-readable medium" includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

[0115] In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered a distribution medium that is a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored. The computer-readable medium may be non-transitory, which includes all tangible computer-readable media.

[0116] In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

[0117] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0118] While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of the invention. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

[0119] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and / or collectively, by the term "invention" merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

[0120] It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that the following claims including all equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention. The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.

[0121] An aspect provides a toilet comprising: a tank; a fill valve configured to regulate a flow of water into the tank; and a water treatment device coupled to the fill valve and supported within the tank, wherein the water treatment device is configured to treat the flow of water into the tank.

[0122] The water treatment device may include one or more beads for template assisted crystallization. The water treatment device may include a saturator having two or more chemical compounds. The water treatment device may include an ion filter. The water treatment device may include a multi-element alloy. The water treatment device may include an electric field inhibitor. The water treatment device may include an acid filter. The water treatment device may include a radio frequency generator.

[0123] Another aspect provides a toilet comprising: a tank; a fill valve configured to regulate a flow of water into the tank; an input pipe fluidly coupled to the fill valve; a water treatment device coupled to the input pipe and supported outside of the tank, wherein the water treatment device is configured to treat the flow of water into the tank.

[0124] The water treatment device may include one or more beads for template assisted crystallization. The water treatment device may include a saturator having two or more chemical compounds. The water treatment device may include an ion filter. The water treatment device may include a multi-element alloy. The water treatment device may include an electric field inhibitor. The water treatment device may include an acid filter. The water treatment device may include a radio frequency generator.

[0125] Another aspect provides a method for toilet tank water treatment, the method comprising: opening a flush valve, coupled to a toilet tank, according to a flush cycle; opening a fill valve, coupled to the toilet tank, according to the flush cycle; and treating water at a water treatment device coupled to the fill valve.

[0126] The water treatment device may include one or more beads for template assisted crystallization.

[0127] The water treatment device may be supported outside of the tank. The water treatment device may be supported within the tank.

[0128] Another aspect provides a toilet tank comprising: a container configured to hold a dissolvable compound; a cap removable from the container to load the dissolvable compound into the container; and at least one opening for water to enter the container and for water and dissolved compound to exit the container.

[0129] The toilet tank may comprise a hook configured to connect the toilet tank and the container.

[0130] The at least one opening may include a plurality of openings submerged in the toilet tank.

[0131] The dissolved compound may be spherical and / or may align with at least one of the plurality of openings.

[0132] The container may include a plurality of columns housing the dissolvable compound.

[0133] The toilet tank may comprise a diffuser configured to distribute water across the plurality of columns.

[0134] The at least one opening may include an entrance port and an exit port.

[0135] The toilet tank may comprise a chamber, separate from the container, including a second dissolvable compound. The second dissolvable compound may include at least sodium hypochlorite.

[0136] The toilet tank may comprise: a first tube configured to connect a fill valve to the container; and a second tube configured to connect the container to the chamber.

[0137] The toilet tank may comprise a fill valve connected to the water supply and connected to the container.

[0138] The toilet tank may comprise: a first tube connecting a first output of the fill valve to the container; and a second tube connecting a second output of the fill valve to the container.

[0139] The toilet tank may comprise a third tube connecting a first output of the container to the fill valve.

[0140] The toilet tank may comprise a fourth tube connecting a second output of the container to the toilet tank.

[0141] Another aspect provides a toilet tank comprising: a fill valve; a flush valve; a first chamber connected to the fill valve and configured to hold a first dissolvable compound; a second chamber connected to the flush valve and configured to hold a second dissolvable compound; and at least one passage fluidly connecting the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0142] The toilet tank may comprise at least one cap removable from the first chamber or the second chamber to load the first dissolvable compound or the second dissolvable compound.

[0143] The toilet tank may comprise: at least one first chamber opening for water to enter the first chamber; and at least one first chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to exit the first chamber.

[0144] The toilet tank may comprise: at least one second chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to enter the second chamber; and at least one second chamber opening for water, the first dissolved compound, and the second dissolved compound to exit the second chamber.

[0145] The first dissolvable compound may substantially prevent scale. The second dissolvable compound may clean a toilet bowl.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0010]The following embodiments include apparatus and techniques for disinfection and reduction of scale in the interior of a toilet tank and / or one or more water flows associated with the toilet tank. A water treatment device may be placed with the toilet tank to treat water as in enters the toilet tank through one or more fill valves. In other examples, the water treatment device may be placed in line with a water supply or input pipe that supplies the flow of water to the one or more fill valves.

[0011]The following embodiments include devices and techniques for the reduction, mitigation, or prevention of scale in plumbing devices and / or disinfection of plumbing devices. The plumbing devices may include pipes, faucets, bathtubs, showers, water softeners, water heaters, toilets or other devices. The term "plumbing fixture" refers to an apparatus that is connected to a plumbing system of a house, building or another structure. The term "bathroom fixture" may more specifically refer ...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority benefit of Provisional Application No. 63 / 725,237 filed on November 26, 2024, China Patent Application No. 202511607918.7 filed on 5 November, 2025, and U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 384,718 filed on November 10, 2025, which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present application relates generally to the treatment of water in a water tank of a water flow within or to a toilet tank.BACKGROUND

[0003] This application relates generally to the field of cleaning systems configured to dispense cleaning compounds for use in and around toilets to improve the cleanliness in and around the toilets. Built-up deposits can lead to undesirable odors and stains, as well as harbor germs and bacteria. It would be advantageous to provide a toilet having cleaning systems (e.g., internal, external) that provide improved cleanliness to address the aforementioned problems, such as prohibiting or reducing scale and / or providing odor abatement.SUMMARY

[0004] One embodiment of the present application provides A toilet comprising: a tank; a fill valve configured to regulate a flow of water into the tank; and a water treatment device coupled to the fill valve and supported within the tank, wherein the water treatment device is configured to treat the flow of water into the tank.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present application also provides a toilet comprising: a tank; a fill valve configured to regulate a flow of water into the tank; an input pipe fluidly coupled to the fill valve; a water treatment device coupled to the input pipe and supported outside of the tank, wherein the water treatment device is configured to treat the flow of water into the tank.

[0006] Yet another embodiment of the present application also provides a method for toilet tank water treatment, the method comprising: opening a flush valve, coupled to a toilet tank, according to a flush cycle; opening a fill valve, coupled to the toilet tank, according to the flush cycle; and treating water at a water treatment device coupled to the fill valve.

[0007] Another embodiment of the present application also provides a toilet tank comprising: a container configured to hold a dissolvable compound; a cap removable from the container to load the dissolvable compound into the container; and at least one opening for water to enter the container and for water and dissolved compound to exit the container.

[0008] Yet another embodiment of the present application also provides a toilet tank comprising: a fill valve; a flush valve; a first chamber connected to the fill valve and configured to hold a first dissolvable compound; a second chamber connected to the flush valve and configured to hold a second dissolvable compound; and at least one passage fluidly connecting the first chamber and the second chamber.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to the following drawings, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an example toilet for use with a water treatment system. FIG. 2 illustrates an example tank with an internal water treatment system. FIG. 3 illustrates an example tank with an external water treatment system. FIG. 4 illustrates an example electronic flush valve and / or electronic disinfection system. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate an example polyphosphate container. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a toilet tank including the example polyphosphate container. FIG. 7A illustrates another embodiment of a polyphosphate container. FIG. 7B illustrate a toilet tank including the polyphosphate container of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A illustrates another embodiment of a polyphosphate container. FIG. 8B illustrate a toilet tank including the polyphosphate container of FIG. 8A. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a dual chamber water treatment device. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an example of polyphosphate container. FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate another example of polyphosphate container. FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another example of polyphosphate container. FIG. 13 illustrates another example of polyphosphate container. FIG. 14 illustrates an example columnar polyphosphate container. FIG. 15 illustrates an example columnar polyphosphate container with multiple water inputs. FIG. 16A illustrates an example toilet with an internal columnar water treatment device. FIG. 16B illustrates an example toilet with an external columnar water treatment device. FIGS. 17A-C illustrate an example toilet and in-line water treatment device. FIG. 18 illustrates an accessory for a toilet including an example of polyphosphate container. FIG. 19 illustrates an example controller for any of the water treatment and disinfection systems. FIG. 20 illustrates an example flow chart for the controller of FIG. 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The following embodiments include apparatus and techniques for disinfection and reduction of scale in the interior of a toilet tank and / or one or more water flows associated with the toilet tank. A water treatment device may be placed with the toilet tank to treat water as in enters the toilet tank through one or more fill valves. In other examples, the water treatment device may be placed in line with a water supply or input pipe that supplies the flow of water to the one or more fill valves.

[0011] The following embodiments include devices and techniques for the reduction, mitigation, or prevention of scale in plumbing devices and / or disinfection of plumbing devices. The plumbing devices may include pipes, faucets, bathtubs, showers, water softeners, water heaters, toilets or other devices. The term "plumbing fixture" refers to an apparatus that is connected to a plumbing system of a house, building or another structure. The term "bathroom fixture" may more specifically refer to individual types of plumbing fixtures found in the bathroom. The term "kitchen fixture" may more specifically refer to individual types of plumbing fixtures found in the kitchen.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an example toilet (plumbing device) for use with a water treatment system. Referring to FIG. 1, a toilet 1100 with the water treatment system is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The toilet 1100 may include a tank (e.g., container, reservoir, etc.), shown as a tank 101, and a pedestal (e.g., base, stand, support, etc.), shown as a pedestal 1104. The tank 101 may be coupled to, and supported by, the pedestal 1104, which may be positioned on a floor. In some embodiments, the tank 101 and the pedestal 1104 may be formed together as a single component. In some other examples, the tank 101 may be mounted nearby on a wall, or within a wall. The tank 101 is configured to receive water (e.g., via a fill valve of the toilet 1100, etc.) and store the water in between flushes. The pedestal 1104 includes a bowl 1105 and may be configured to receive the water from the tank 101 to flush contents of bowl into a sewage line. In some embodiments, the pedestal 1104 may be mounted on the wall of a lavatory and the bowl may be configured to receive water from a fluid supply source such as a household water supply.

[0013] The bowl 1105 of the pedestal 1104 includes a sump (e.g. a receptacle) and an outlet opening, wherein water and waste is collected in the sump until being removed through the outlet opening, such as when the contents of the bowl are flushed into a sewage line, septic system, or other sanitary system. The toilet 1100 further includes a trapway, and the trapway may be fluidly connected to the bowl via the sump. The trapway fluidly connects the sump to the outlet opening.

[0014] The actuator 14 or flush mechanism may be a button configured to activate when depressed (or pulled) a predetermined distance or when touched, a lever configured to activate when rotated a predetermined angular travel, or any suitable device configured to activate based upon an input manipulation by a user.

[0015] It should be noted that the shapes and configurations of the tank, pedestal, seat assembly, and the internal components (including the trapway and other features) may vary from the examples shown and described herein, and that the examples disclosed herein are not intended as limitations. It should be noted that various components of the toilet may be made of vitreous china. It should be noted that various components of the toilet may be polymeric and / or over molded or otherwise fixed to the toilet. It should be noted, for example, that although the toilet 1100 is shown configured with the tank 101 formed separately from the pedestal 1104 and later coupled to the pedestal, the tank 101 may be integrally formed with the pedestal 1104 as a one-piece design. In other words, the toilet may be a one-piece design, a two-piece design, or have any suitable configuration. The toilet disclosed herein may have a wide variety of skirted toilet configurations, and all such configurations are intended to be encompassed herein. The following description of various toilet features is therefore intended only to illustrate several examples according to the present disclosure, and it should be understood by those reviewing the present description that similar concepts or features may be included in various other examples.

[0016] The tank 101 may include an inlet opening configured to receive water from a coupled water supply, such as from a hose (e.g., line, tube). The tank 101 may also include an inlet valve assembly or other device configured to control the flow of water from the water supply into the tank through the inlet opening. Within the tank 101 may be provided a float device for controlling the inlet valve assembly, such as by opening the valve to refill the container of the tank 101 after an operational cycle and closing the valve when the water in the container reaches a preset volume or height. The tank 101 may also include an outlet opening configured to transfer (e.g., conduct) the water stored in the container of the tank 101 to the pedestal 1104 upon activation of the actuator 14. The pedestal 1104 may include toilet bowl 1105. The tank 101 may include an outlet valve assembly or other device configured to control the flow of water from the tank 101 into the pedestal 1104 through the outlet opening.

[0017] The pedestal 1104 (or base) of the toilet 1100 may include a wall having any suitable shape that is configured to form a bowl 1105 having an opening formed by an upper rim at the top of the opening. The pedestal 1104 may also be configured to include a one or more walls having varying shapes that together form a bowl having an opening formed by a rim. The wall of the pedestal 1104 may extend downward and / or rearward from the bowl 1105 to form a lower portion configured to support the pedestal 1104 and the toilet 1100. The lower portion may be formed by the end (e.g., lower rim) of the wall, or may include a member that extends generally in a horizontal plane from one or more than one end of the wall. The outlet valve assembly may control the flow of water from the tank 101 to the pedestal 1104. The toilet 1100 may also include a gasket or seal that is provided between the tank 101 and the pedestal 1104 to prohibit leaking. For example, a gasket may be provided between the outlet opening of the tank 101 and the inlet opening of the pedestal 1104 to prohibit leaking between the tank and the pedestal 1104.

[0018] The pedestal 1104 may also provide for coupling of the seat assembly 17 to the pedestal 1104 of the toilet 1100. For example, the top member may include one or more than one opening, wherein each opening is configured to receive a fastening device (e.g., bolt, screw, etc.) to couple (e.g., attach) the seat assembly 17 to the top member of the pedestal 1104. As another example, the top member may include one or more than one fastening device (e.g., bolts, recessed nuts, etc.) integrally formed therein (i.e., already provided connected or coupled to the pedestal 1104), wherein the fastening device may be used to couple or secure at least a portion of the seat assembly 17 to the pedestal 1104. The seat assembly 17 may include a hinge, hinge shoulders configured to receive a fastener, a seat coupled to the hinge and a cover coupled to the hinge.

[0019] The bowl 1105 of the pedestal 1104 may be configured to include a receptacle (e.g., sump) and an outlet opening, wherein the water and waste is collected in the receptacle until being removed through the outlet opening, such as upon activation of the actuator 14. The pedestal 1104 may also include a pedestal internal passageway, such as a trapway, that connects the outlet opening or discharge outlet of the bowl 1105 to a drain or soil pipe. The passageway, or trapway, generally includes a first portion, a second portion, and a weir separating the first and second portions. The first portion of the passageway may extend from the outlet opening of the bowl 1105 at an upwardly oblique angle to the weir. The second portion of the passageway may extend from the weir downwardly to the exiting device, such as the drain or soil pipe.

[0020] Between operational cycles (e.g., flush cycles) of the toilet 1100, the water (and waste) is collected in the first portion of the trapway (in addition to the receptacle of the bowl), such that the weir prohibits the water from passing past the weir and into the second portion of the trapway. A flushing cycle may begin upon activation of the actuator 14. Upon activation of the actuator, additional water may be discharged into the bowl 1105 of the pedestal 1104, resulting in the flushing action and waste removal through the soil pipe. The flushing cycle may include generation of a siphon to assist the flushing action and waste removal.

[0021] The seat assembly 17 may include a cover member 18 (e.g., lid), a seat member (e.g., ring member), and a hinge. The seat member may be configured to include an annular member that encircles an opening, wherein the annular member provides a seating surface for the user of the toilet 1100. The seat member may also be pivotally coupled (e.g., attached) to the hinge, wherein the seat member may rotate (or pivot) about the hinge, such as between a first lowered or seated position and a second raised or upright position. The cover member 18 may be configured to be round, oval, or any other suitable shape. Typically, the profile or shape of the outer surface of the cover member will be configured to match (i.e., to be substantially similar) to the profile of the outer surface of the seat member to improve the aesthetics of the seat assembly and toilet. The cover member 18 may also be coupled to the hinge, wherein the cover member may rotate (or pivot) about the hinge, such as between a first lowered or down position and a second raised or upright position. The cover member 18 may be provided above the seat member in the down position to thereby cover the opening of the seat member, as well as to conceal the inside of the bowl 1105 of the pedestal 1104. The cover member 18 may be configured to rest against the outside surface of the tank 101, when the cover member 18 is in the upright position, such that the cover member 18 remains in the upright position in order for a user to sit upon the seat member.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an example tank 101 including a lid or cover 128, a base or frame 131, a flush valve 121, a fill valve 123, and a water treatment device 125 that is internal to the water tank 101. The water treatment device 125 may be integrated with or otherwise coupled to the fill valve 123. The water treatment device 125 may be integrated with or otherwise coupled to the flush valve 121. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an example tank 101 including a lid or cover 128, a base or frame 131, a flush valve 121, a fill valve 123, and a water treatment device 125. A water supply pipe 127 (input pipe) provides water from a water supply to the fill valve 123. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0024] The following embodiments include example implementations of the water treatment devices 125 that may be applied to the embodiment of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 3. Each of the water treatment device 125 may be combined with a cleaning compound dispensing device.Beads or template assisted crystallization.

[0025] The water treatment device 125 may include a pretreatment with beads or template assisted crystallization (TAC). TAC beads are configured to neutralize the molecular charge of one or more elements that cause scale. Example elements include calcium and magnesium. The neutralized elements do not attach to the tank 101, fill valve 123, and flush valve 121. Instead, the neutralized elements flow through the bowl and sump as part of the flush cycle.Two chemicals in saturator.

[0026] The water treatment device 125 may include in-flow treatment of the water with two chemicals. One example includes a combination of a chlorine (ClO2) puck and polyphosphates. Another example includes a chlorine (ClO2) puck and citric acid.Magnetic scale filter

[0027] The water treatment device 125 may include an in-flow magnetic filter. The water treatment device 125 may include at least one storage cavity for materials filters from the water. The water treatment device 125 may include at least one magnet that comes in contact with the flow of water. An example magnet may be formed from neodynium and produce a magnetic field of at least 10,000 gauss. The water treatment device 125 may utilize electrolytic principles.Pretreatment with magnetic device.

[0028] The water treatment device 125 may include a clamping device that clamps over the water supply pipe 127. The clamping device may include one or more springs that apply a force to hold the water treatment device 125 to the water supply pipe 127. Inside the water treatment device 125 is a plurality of magnets arranged in a predetermined pattern to mitigate biofilm and mineral scale from inside the water supply pipe 127.

[0029] The water treatment device 125 may include one or more internal diverters that are configured to provide a force or steering action on the flow of water through the water supply pipe 127. The one or more internal diverters may include at least one spiral drove that causes swirling in the flow of water to separate particles from the flow of water. The water treatment device 125 may cause particles to break apart in the flow of water.

[0030] In one example, the water treatment device 125 may include two strong magnetics on opposite sides of the water supply 127. The water passes through a uniform magnetic field between the two magnets. The magnetic field is configured to change the structure of the deposits that form in the water, mitigating or preventing adherence to the tank 101, fill valve 123, and flush valve 121.Ion exchange filter.

[0031] The water treatment device 125 may include an ion exchange filter configured to inhibit water scale. The water treatment device 125 may include an ion exchange resin configured to exchanged charged ions in the water for ions (e.g., H+ and OH-). The resin may be formed in resin beads that attached hard water particles.Alloy scale reduction.

[0032] The water treatment device 125 may include a multi-element alloy configured to release free electrons. The water treatment device 125 may reduce scale formation from one or more elements such as magnesium (Mg 2+< ) and calcium (Ca 2+< ).Nanobubble and / or microbubble.

[0033] The water treatment device 125 may include a nanobubble generator. The nanobubble generator may be configured to transform gases in the water to nanobubbles (e.g., bubbles with a diameter less than 50 microns) that are configured to mitigate or prevent the deposit of scale within the water supply 127, fill valve 123, or elsewhere in the tank 101.

[0034] The treatment generation device 125 may generate microbubbles. The term microbubbles may be used to describe bubbles with diameters that are approximately from 1 to 100 µm. Additional bubbles may be present when microbubbles are generated such as bubbles with diameters from 100 to 1000 µm or larger. Microbubbles may have a lifetime duration before implosion in water. In one example, the lifetime duration may be at least 1 minute. In some examples, the lifetime duration is in the range of about 2 to 4 minutes. In one example, an air stream under pressure is dissolved into liquid with a nozzle to generate bubbles under the cavitation principle. The nozzle may be a venturi tube. In cavitation the static pressure of a liquid is below the liquid's vapor pressure, causing vapor filled cavities to form. The vapor pressure is the pressured in thermodynamic equilibrium with the other phases (liquid and solid) at a specific temperature. In another example, microbubbles are formed from ultrasound to induce cavitation in the liquid. In another example, microbubbles are formed through a shearing force. The air stream is provided under low pressure and bubbles are broken off into the liquid using the shearing force. The shearing force may be a vibration, provided from fluidic oscillation, or other methods.

[0035] Microbubbles may provide a variety of benefits in a variety of applications. Some benefits may be considered water treatments. Some benefits may improve the feel, texture, and appearance of the water. Water with microbubbles may feel silky to the touch and may increase moisture level when in contact with the human body such as skin and hear. In addition, microbubbles may enhance the surface cleaning, dirt removal, oil removal, and cosmetics removal abilities of the water. Water with microbubbles may aid in removal of scale buildup on surfaces.

[0036] In some examples, the microbubbles experience cavitation, resulting in an implosion of the bubbles to release hydroxyl radicals and causing physiochemical transformations in the water. In some examples, the microbubbles have an electrostatic charge on or associated with the surface of the bubble such that the presence of the bubble treats or otherwise affects the water before the microbubbles ultimately implode. The electrostatic charge on the microbubbles may be negative.

[0037] The generation device 125 may include at least one electrical input to a power source and at least one air input to an air source (e.g., a pump). The bubble generation device 160 may receive commands from the controller 100. The controller 100 may instruct the generation device 160 when to start generating bubbles (e.g., initiation command) and when to stop generating bubbles (e.g., stop command). The command from the controller 100 may include a size or a size range from the generation device 160. The generation device 160 may adjust a parameter of the bubble generation process. In one example, the parameter is a magnitude of the shearing force for bubble generation. In one example, the parameter is a flow of an air stream for generating microbubbles. In one example, the parameter may be a magnitude of a vibration or fluid oscillation.Electric field inhibitor.

[0038] The water treatment device 125 may include an electric field generator configured to mitigate or prevent scale within the water supply 127, fill valve 123, or elsewhere in the tank 101. The electric field generator is configured to generate an oscillating electric field within the flow of water. The oscillating electric field may have a low frequency tuned to one or more elements or particles in the flow of water. The oscillating electric field may prevent or otherwise alter the way that elements (e.g., limescale or calcium) bond to each other or clump together. In other words, the oscillating electric field may prevent the clumping of elements in the water and / or inhibit the property of the elements that facilitate adherence to the pipe surfaces, or other plumbing fixture surfaces.Acid filter.

[0039] The water treatment device 125 may include an acid filter configured to reduce the pH of the water flow through the water supply 127 or in the tank 101. A more acidic flow of water increases the solubility of minerals in the water, reducing scale buildup.RF scale prevention.

[0040] The water treatment device 125 may include a radio frequency (RF) generator configured to generate a pulsed radio frequency signal. The RF signal passes through the water supply and encourages a chemical reaction that causes mineral ions to combine in suspension rather than adherence to surfaces.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates another example in which the flush valve 121 is electronically controlled. The float F or other sensor provides sensor data to the controller 100 indicative of a water level in the tank 101. The controller 100 provides commands to the flush plate V or an actuator coupled to the flush plate V. The actuator may include a motor or a solenoid. The controller 100 determined whether the water is below a predetermined threshold (e.g., the threshold may be the smallest measurable water level). The controller 100 may maintain the flush plate V of the flush valve 121 in an open state until the predetermined threshold has been reached. When the predetermined threshold has been reached the controller 100 may close the flush plate V.

[0042] In another example, the flush plate V may be replaced with a pump. The controller 100 instructs the pump to pump water from the tank 101 when the until the predetermined threshold has been reached. When the predetermined threshold has been reached the controller 100 may turn off the pump.

[0043] The controller 100 may also communicate with a disinfection system 102. The disinfection system 102 may be implemented according to any of the following embodiments. The controller 100 may send instructions or commands to the disinfection system 102. For example, when the controller 100 has determined the water has been emptied completely from the tank 101, the controller 100 may instruct the disinfection system 102 to disinfect the interior of the tank 101. The disinfection dispenser 102 is configured to dispense a disinfection material into the toilet tank 101 and the at least one disinfection channel extending from the drain opening of the toilet tank to the pedestal for the toilet.

[0044] While described and illustrated in toilet tanks, the disinfection system 102 may be implemented in toilet bowls, trapways for toilets, trapways for lavatories, whirlpool harnesses, garbage disposals, sinks, fruits / vegetable washers, scents dispensers, humidifiers, or other devices.

[0045] Also shown in FIG. 4, the flush valve 121 may include any of the water treatment devices 125 (or other water treatment devices described herein). In some examples, both the fill valve 123 and the flush valve include a water treatment device 125 and in some examples, the water treatment device 125 is omitted from the fill valve 123. The water treatment device 125 of the flush valve 121 may be a cartridge that is removable for refill of the TAC beads or other material. The water treatment device 125 may lock in and out of place with a quarter turn. The water treatment device 125 may slide vertically with respect to the flush valve 121 for removal and replacement.

[0046] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate an example three views of a polyphosphate container 200. The polyphosphate container 200 includes a hook 203, a support arm 204, a cavity 206 or body, and a cap 205. The hook 203 is configured to connect the toilet tank and the container 200. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0047] The cavity 206 may include one or more beads 201. The beads 201 may be formed of a dissolvable compound or another type of dissolvable materials. The beads 201 may include at least a polyphosphate comprising multiple phosphate units linked by shared oxygen atoms. The polyphosphate may be a salt or ester. The beads 201 of polyphosphate may be template assisted crystallization (TAC) beads. TAC beads are configured to neutralize the molecular charge of one or more elements that cause scale. Example elements include calcium and magnesium.

[0048] The cavity 206 may include openings 202. The openings 202 may be spaced apart based on the size (e.g., diameter) of the beads 201. When the beads 201 are installed or before they have substantially dissolved, the beads 201 may be visible through the openings 202. That is, the beads 201 may nest within the openings 202. That is the dissolved compound is spherical and aligns with the openings 202.

[0049] The openings 202 allow water to freely flow from the toilet tank into the cavity 206 and from the cavity 206 into the toilet tank. One or more of the openings 202 may be designated based on placement or position to allow water to flow into the cavity 206, and another one of the openings 202 may be designated based on placement or position to allow water to flow out of the cavity 206. For at least one opening 202, water flows into the cavity 206 at one time and water and dissolved compound exits or flows out of the cavity 206 at another time.

[0050] The cavity 206 may include a large opening or top opening for loading the beads 201 into the cavity 206. The top opening may be selectively covered by the cap 205. The cap 205 is removable from the container 200 to load the beads 201. The cap 205 may be partially removable (e.g., permanently joined at a hinge on one side of the top opening) or fully removable. Both sides of the polyphosphate container 221 may include a cap 205. The openings for the caps 205 are a plurality of openings submerged in the toilet tank 250.

[0051] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a toilet tank 250 housing and supporting the example polyphosphate container 200. The toilet tank 250 includes a tank body 210 that is configured to house and support water for flushing of the toilet. The toilet tank 250 includes a flush handle 214, a fill valve 421, a float 420, a flush valve 212, and a tube 213, connecting the fill valve 421 and the flush valve 212. The toilet tank 250 may be fastened or coupled to a pedestal of the toilet or based of the toilet including a toilet bowl. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0052] When the water level is below a threshold level, for example after a water is released for flushing, the float 420 rests on the water and is lowered to turn on or open the fill valve 421. With the fill valve 421 open, water is supplied into the toilet tank body 210. The toilet tank 250 is refilled passed the threshold level, and the fill valve 421 is turned off. Later, when the flush cycle is restarted, for example, by operating the flush handle 214, the flush valve 212 is opened to release the water in the tank body 210 into the toilet bowl, flushing and evacuating the contents of the toilet bowl. In the embodiment of FIG. 6A and 6B, the polyphosphate container 200 is separate from the flush valve 212 and fill valve 421 system. Water generally circulates through the tank body 210. That is, as water is supplied through the fill valve 421 there is a small current of water that distributes the dissolved material from the polyphosphate container 200 to other portions of the tank body 210. The system of FIGS. 6A and 6B may be referred to as a passive polyphosphate system because the polyphosphate container 200 is not connected to either the flush valve 212 or the fill valve 421. One or more embodiments described below may be considered an active polyphosphate system because the polyphosphate container 200 is connected to the flush valve 212, the fill valve 421, or both.

[0053] FIG. 7A illustrates another embodiment of a polyphosphate container 221 configured to reduce scale build up in a toilet. The polyphosphate container 221 includes a U-shape for body 206. The body 206 may take other shapes such as substantially circular, S-shaped, linear, or V-shaped. The beads 201 (polyphosphate beads) may be placed in the body 206. For example, the cap 205 may be removed (e.g., unscrewed) and the beads 201 may be dropped into the body 206. The cap 205 may be replaced on the body 206 after the beads 201 are loaded. In other examples, the cap 205 may be fastened to the body 206 through a fiction fit. Other locking mechanisms are possible.

[0054] FIG. 7B illustrate a toilet tank including the polyphosphate container 221 of FIG. 7A in combination with a cleaning device 220. In FIG. 6B, the toilet tank 210 including the fill valve 421 and the flush valve 212 is illustrated. A fill valve 421 may be configured to control a volume or flow of water into the tank 210. The fill valve 420 may be in fluid communication with an input of the polyphosphate container 221 through input tube 216 (polyphosphate container input conduit). The polyphosphate container 221 may be connected to the cleaning device 220 through tube 217 (polyphosphate container output conduit). In other words, the tube 217 connects an output of the polyphosphate container 221 to the input of the cleaning device 220. In this way, the dissolved material from the polyphosphate container 221 is provided with water through tube 217 to the cleaning device 220. The output of the cleaning device 220 may be connected to the flush valve 212 through an output tube 218 (cleaning device output conduit). In this way, the dissolved material from the polyphosphate container 221 and the dissolved material from the cleaning device 200 are mixed together and provided through the tube 218 to the flush valve 212. The water including both dissolved materials are provided to the tank 210 and / or the toilet bowl.

[0055] Specifically, the tube 217 may be coupled to an inlet connector of the cleaning device 220. The valve 421 may be configured to control a volume or flow of water provided to the cleaning device 220. In some examples, the valve 421 may include a float device 521 for controlling the inlet valve, such as by opening the valve to refill the tank 210 and provide water to the cleaning device 220 after an operational cycle and closing the valve when the water in the tank reaches a preset volume or height. In some examples, the fill valve 421 may be configured to provide a volume of water to the cleaning device 220 (e.g., via first conduit 217) and a volume of water directly to the tank 210 or flush valve 212. The flush valve 212 may be configured to control a flow of water and / or a cleaning solution based on the dissolved compound from polyphosphate container 221 and / or a cleaning solution based on the dissolved compound from the cleaning device 220 from the tank 250 into the toilet (e.g., pedestal, rim channel, sump jet channel, bowl, sump, trapway, and the like). In some embodiments the water with dissolved chlorine and / or dissolved polyphosphates is provided directly to the rim.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7B, the tube 217 is in two parts. An upstream part 217A connects the container 221 to a splitter 50 (e.g., T-connector, three way connector) and a downstream part 217B connects the splitter to the cleaning device 220.The splitter 50 divides the flow of water leaving the container 221 including the dissolved polyphosphate so that this water is used to fill the tank. Water drips from the splitter 50 into the tank. In this way, the chlorine or other cleaner from the cleaning device 220 is prevented from being released into the tank where certain chemicals may impart (e.g., degrade seals or rubber parts). The water with the chlorine solution from cleaning device 220 is provided then (e.g., through the overflow tube) to the toilet bowl, rim, sump, and / or other components in the pedestal portion of the toilet. The splitter may be sized to proportionally divide the water provided to the tank and the water provided to the cleaning device 220. More water may be provided to the tank from the splitter 50 than to the cleaning device 220.

[0057] Stated another way, all of the water from the polyphosphate container 221 is split between the tank and the cleaning device 220 such that water with the first dissolved compound it provided to the toilet tank and the cleaning device. In the cleaning device, the second dissolved compound is added to the water, which is provided to the toilet bowl.

[0058] The flush valve 421 may be in fluid communication with the cleaning device 220 via the tube 218. Specifically, the tube 218 may be coupled to an outlet connector of the cleaning device 220. The cleaning device 220 may provide a flow of water and / or cleaning solution to the flush valve 212, for example, while the fill valve 421 is open. The flush valve 212 may provide the volume of cleaning solution from the cleaning device 220 to the tank 250 and / or another component of the toilet. Specifically, in some examples the flush valve 212 provide a flow of water and / or a cleaning solution based on the dissolved compound from polyphosphate container 221 and / or a cleaning solution based on the dissolved compound from the cleaning device 220 directly to the tank 250.

[0059] FIG. 8A illustrates another embodiment of a polyphosphate container 22 configured to reduce scale build up in a toilet. FIG. 8B illustrate a toilet tank including the polyphosphate container 222 of FIG. 8A. Operation of the devices of FIGS. 8A and 8B may be similar to that described by FIGS. 7A and 7B.

[0060] FIG. 8A further illustrates that the polyphosphate container 222 may include beads 201 in multiple rows. In other words, the beads 201 may form a linear arrangement in three dimensions. The body 206 includes beads 201 that are arranged linearly in a horizontal direction. The body 206 includes beads 201 that are arranged linearly in a vertical direction. The body 206 includes beads 201 that are arranged linearly in a depth direction.

[0061] FIG. 8A further illustrates that the polyphosphate container 220 may include multiple coatings or materials for the body 206. As shown in FIG. 8A, at least a portion of the polyphosphate container 222 includes a reflective coating 223. At least a portion of the polyphosphate container 200 includes a transparent, semitransparent, or translucent material 224.

[0062] FIG. 8B, includes a splitter 50 (e.g., T-connector, three way connector) between the tube 217 and the polyphosphate container 222. The splitter 50 divides the flow of water leaving the polyphosphate container 222 including the dissolved polyphosphate so that this water is used to fill the tank. Water drips from the splitter 50 into the tank. In this way, the chlorine or other cleaner from the polyphosphate container 222 is prevented from being released into the tank where certain chemicals may impart (e.g., degrade seals or rubber parts). The water with the chlorine solution from cleaning device 220 is provided then (e.g., through the overflow tube) to the toilet bowl, rim, sump, and / or other components in the pedestal portion of the toilet. In some embodiments the water with dissolved chlorine and / or dissolved polyphosphates is provided directly to the rim.

[0063] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrates a dual chamber water treatment device 230 in which a polyphosphate solution and a cleaning solution are distributed by a single device. FIG. 9A is a top view of the dual chamber water treatment device 230. FIG. 9B is a side view of the dual chamber water treatment device 230. The water treatment device 230 includes a first chamber 232 and a second chamber 233 connected by at least one passage 231. The first chamber 232 and the second chamber 233 may be enclosed in a single housing. The first chamber 232 includes at least one input 235 and at least one output 234. The second chamber 233 includes at least one output 236. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0064] The first chamber 232 may include a polyphosphate solution and may be referred to as a polyphosphate chamber. The second chamber 233 may include hypochlorous acid (HOCI) or another weak acid or other acidic solution that contains chlorine.

[0065] Water may be provided to input 235 from a tube or conduit connected to a fill valve. Alternatively, the input 235 may be directly connected to a water supply. Water may freely flow into the first chamber and when the water level reaches the passage 231, the water including at least some polyphosphate may flow into the second chamber 233.

[0066] Water may also flow from the first chamber 232 to the tank through the output 234. In some examples, the output 234 is at the top of the first chamber 232 so that the water including polyphosphate may flow into the tank through the output 234. In other examples, the output 234 may be on a side or lower portion of the first chamber 232.

[0067] Water in the second chamber 233 mixes with the hypochlorous acid. Thus, at least some of the water in the second chamber 233 includes the polyphosphate and is mixed or otherwise dilutes the hypochlorous acid. The water expelled through output 236 includes both the hypochlorous acid and the polyphosphate and is provides through one or more passages to the toilet bowl (e.g., pedestal, rim channel, sump jet channel, sump, trapway, or others).

[0068] As shown in FIG. 9B, the first chamber 232 may include a polyphosphate such as beads 201 (e.g., TAC beads) and may be referred to as a polyphosphate chamber. The second chamber 233 may include hypochlorous tablets 601 or another solute that includes chlorine. Other tablets that dissolve in water to form a weak acid may be used.

[0069] Water may be provided to input 245 from a tube or conduit connected to a fill valve. Alternatively, the input 245 may be directly connected to a water supply. Water may freely flow into the first chamber and when the water level reaches the passage 241, the water including at least some dissolved polyphosphate may flow into the second chamber 243.

[0070] Water in the second chamber 243 mixes with the hypochlorous acid at water level 247. The height of the water level 247 may impact the concentration of the hypochlorous acid. Thus, at least some of the water in the second chamber 243 includes the dissolved polyphosphate compound and is mixed or otherwise combined with the water and dissolved hypochlorous tablet. The water expelled through output 246 includes both the dissolved hypochlorous compound and the dissolved chlorine material. The water including both dissolved compounds is provided through one or more passages to the toilet bowl (e.g., pedestal, rim channel, sump jet channel, sump, trapway, or others).

[0071] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an example of combined polyphosphate and cleaning compound water treatment device 260. The water treatment device 260 includes an inlet 251, an outlet 252, a hanging support 253, a concentration knob 254, a lid 255, and a reservoir 256. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0072] The housing includes reservoir 256 configured to store a polyphosphate, a cleaning compound and a volume of water. As described above, the polyphosphate may be a tablet or a solution. The polyphosphate may begin as a tablet and dissolve into a solution. Similarly, the chorine may be a tablet or a solution. The chlorine may begin as a tablet and dissolve into a solution. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the reservoir 256 may be a hollow or open space (e.g., a compartment) disposed within the housing. FIG. 10A illustrates a lid 255 selectively providing access to the reservoir 256. For example, a user may place one or more units of the polyphosphate and / or cleaning compound in the reservoir when the lid 255 is disposed in the upward or open position. In some examples, the lid 255 may be transparent allowing a user to check a quantity of the polyphosphate and cleaning compound disposed in the reservoir 256 by looking through the transparent lid 255. The lid 255 is at least one cap removable from the reservoir 256 to load the first dissolvable compound and / or the second dissolvable compound.

[0073] The cleaning compound, the polyphosphate compound, and a volume of water provided to the reservoir 256 may be configured to mix or react with one another in the reservoir 256 to form or produce an anti-scaling solution. According to some examples, a volume of water may be provided to the reservoir 256 by a fill valve disposed in the tank of the toilet. The anti-scaling solution may be provided or dispensed from the reservoir 256 to the toilet bowl.

[0074] The inlet connector 251 and the outlet connector 252 may be coupled to (e.g., the same) one of the second pair of sides of the water treatment device 260. The inlet connector 251 may be in communication with a water source, such as an inlet valve of a toilet and may be configured to conduct or provide a flow or volume of water. The outlet connector 252 may be configured to provide or conduct a flow of cleaning solution to a flush valve and / or an interior of a toilet tank. A conduit (e.g., hose, tube) may extend between the outlet connecter 252 and a flush valve and / or interior of a toilet tank. In some examples, the anti-scale solution may be provided directly to an interior of the toilet tank. In other examples, the anti-scale solution may be provided to a flush valve and subsequently from the flush valve to an interior of the tank. In some examples, the cleaning solution may be provided (e.g., via a conduit, flush valve) to a rim channel, sump jet channel, or bowl of the toilet without being introduced to an interior of the toilet tank.

[0075] The water treatment device may further include a diffuser 257 in communication with the reservoir 256. The diffuser 257 may be configured to provide or conduct a volume of water to the reservoir and provide or conduct a volume of polyphosphate solution from the reservoir 256. Specifically, the diffuser 257 may include a tube including a plurality of openings in communication with the reservoir 256. In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the tube may have a substantially "U" shape. The tube may be configured to both conduct a volume or flow of water to the reservoir 256 and conduct a volume or flow of cleaning solution from the reservoir 256. Specifically, the tube 501 may introduce a volume of water to the reservoir 256. The volume of water introduced to the reservoir 256 may mix with the cleaning compound, in some examples, dissolving (e.g., a portion of) the cleaning compound, forming a cleaning solution. In some examples, in addition to mixing with the cleaning compound, a volume of water introduced to the reservoir may also mix with a volume of cleaning solution (i.e., a volume of water previously introduced to the reservoir and mixed with the cleaning compound).

[0076] Referring to FIG. 10B, in some examples, the water treatment device 260 may further include a dial 254. In some examples, the dial 254 may be configured to control a concentration of the polyphosphate solution in the reservoir 256, such as by rotating the dial between two or more settings. For example, the dial 254 may control a degree and / or a duration of opening or closing of one or more valves supplying water to the reservoir, thus controlling a volume of water supplied to the reservoir 256 and a concentration of a cleaning solution. In other examples, the dial 254 may be configured to change a volume or quantity of cleaning solution dispensed by the water treatment device 260, such as by rotating the dial 254 between two or more settings.

[0077] The water treatment device 260 may further include a hanger 253. The hanger 253 may be used to couple the device 250 to a side or wall of a toilet tank. Specifically, the hanger 253 may have a hook shape.

[0078] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrates another example of a water treatment device 260 including a first housing having a polyphosphate container or chamber 258 and a second housing having a chlorine chamber 259. The water treatment device 260 includes an inlet 261, an outlet 262, a hanging support 263, a concentration knob 254, and a lid 255. The chlorine chamber 259 included in the second housing may be supported by the toilet tank via the hanging support 263. The polyphosphate chamber 258 included in the first housing may be supported by the chlorine chamber 258.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 11B, an inlet 265 of the second housing may connect the chlorine chamber 259 to the polyphosphate chamber 258 so that water including the dissolved polyphosphate flows from the polyphosphate chamber 258 to the chlorine chamber 259. Further, an outlet 266 of the second housing may connect chlorine chamber 259 to the polyphosphate chamber 258 so that water including the dissolved chlorine as well as the dissolved polyphosphate flows from the chlorine chamber 259 to the polyphosphate chamber 258. Finally, the water including the dissolved chlorine as well as the dissolved polyphosphate flows out of the water treatment device 260 via the outlet 262. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0080] In the embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11B, the diffuser 257 and dial 254 may be included in the chlorine chamber 259 in order conduct a volume of water to the chamber 259 and provide or conduct a volume of the solution from the chamber 259. Specifically, the diffuser 257 may include a tube including a plurality of openings in communication with the reservoir 256. In other examples, both the polyphosphate chamber 258 and the chlorine chamber 259 may include separate diffusers 257 and corresponding dials 254.

[0081] An inlet 261 into the first chamber 258 is at least one first chamber opening for water to enter the first chamber 258. An outlet 262 is at least one first chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to exit the first chamber 258. An inlet 265 is at least one second chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to enter the second chamber 259. An outlet 256 is at least one second chamber opening for water, the first dissolved compound, and the second dissolved compound to exit the second chamber 259.

[0082] FIG. 11A includes a vacuum breaker 269 configured to stop any backflow of material from the dissolved chlorine compound from the second chamber 259 into the polyphosphate chamber 258 and / or into the tank. The vacuum breaker 269 may include a plastic disc that is pressed forward by water supply pressure from the first chamber 259 to the second chamber 259. When the pressure drops, the disc has a spring back that blocks an opening of the water flow, which prevents any backflow.

[0083] FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrates another example of a water treatment device 270 having a reservoir 256. The reservoir 256 may be divided by a wall 274 into a first chamber 275 and a second chamber 276. The first chamber 275 may be connected to the fill valve and configured to hold a dissolvable compound such as a polycarbonate bead 201. The second chamber 276 may be connected to a flush valve and configured to hold a second dissolvable compound such a chlorine tablet 601. The wall 274 along with the housing of the water treatment device 270 may for at least one passage 277 that fluidly connects the first chamber 275 and the second chamber 276.

[0084] An inlet 271 into the first chamber 275 is at least one first chamber opening for water to enter the first chamber 275. An outlet 272 is at least one first chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to exit the first chamber.

[0085] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of polyphosphate container 400 and water treatment device. The polyphosphate container 400 includes a plurality of columns 401. Each column 401 includes one or more polyphosphate beads 201 or another dissolvable compound. Water flows into the polyphosphate container 400 from a water supply inlet 403 and into a distributor pipe 405. The water flows into the plurality of columns 401 and dissolves the polyphosphate beads 201 or other dissolvable compound. The distributor pipe 405 may become narrow from right to left in FIG. 13 (e.g., the inner diameter of the distributor pipe 405 may be comes smaller at distances away from the water supply inlet 403. After the plurality of columns 401 a collector pipe 402 collects the water and dissolved compound and provides the mixture to the outlet 405. Additional, different or fewer components may be included.

[0086] FIG. 14 illustrates an example columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410. It is possible that any of the columnar arrangements described herein may also be implement as horizontal embodiments in which the device 410 is wider than it is tall (e.g., horizontal rows). Any number of horizontal rows or vertical columns may be used. At least one input 403 receives a water supply that is distributed by diffuser 407 to a plurality of water columns 401 within a housing 412. The water columns 401 may be divided by walls that extend vertically in the polyphosphate container. Alternatively, the water columns 401 may be defined according to a cylindrical structure (e.g., a vertical chamber having a circular cross section and formed from plastic or resin). Each of the water columns 401 includes a polyphosphate bead 101 or other dissolvable compound. The diffuser 407 may distribute the velocity of the water. The diffuser 407 may slow the flow of water, which increases the static pressure. The diffuser 407 may equalize (e.g., substantially equalize) the water flow among the plurality of columns 401. A collector pipe 402 receives thew water and dissolved compound from the water column 401. The collector pipe 402 is connected to return vertical pipe 406, which provides the water and dissolved compound to the outlet 404. The outlet provides the water to the toilet tank, flush valve cannister, or toilet bowl, as described herein.

[0087] The columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may include an indicator 409 to alert the user when the polyphosphate is running low. A controller may provide commands to the indicator 409. The controller may be powered by a battery, an electrical outlet, or a hydrogenator. The indicator 409 may include a light for visual alert, a speaker for audible alert, or a transmitter for an electronic alert to another device. The dissolvable material may be consumed over a predetermined time or number of flushes. The columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may detect a level of the remaining material or track a time period in order to provide the alert to the user.

[0088] In one example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may include a sensor that detects a concentration of the dissolved material in water. The sensor provides data to the controller which compares the concentration to a threshold and triggers the indicator 409 when the concentration falls below the threshold.

[0089] In one example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may count a number of flushes. The controller may count the flushes based on actuation of the flush or electronically (e.g., solenoid) powered flushes.

[0090] In one example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 may trigger the indicator 409 based on a time. For example, the controller may include a timer that indicates when a predetermined time has passed. The predetermined time may be 1 year. After a year, the controller triggers the indicator 409 to instruct the user to replace the polyphosphate beads 201.

[0091] In another example, the polyphosphate beads 201 may formed with a dye that is an indicator of the lifetime of the polyphosphate beads 201. For example, the beads may include a colored dye (e.g., green) so that when green water is present in the toilet, the user is assured that the polyphosphate beads 201 are still present in the treatment device 410. In another example, the center of the beads may include a colored dye (e.g., red) so that the toilet water turns red when the polyphosphate beads 201 have dissolved to near the center, which alerts the user that the polyphosphate beads 201 should be replaced or otherwise added to the treatment device 410. These dye examples may be applied to any of the embodiments described herein.

[0092] FIG. 15 illustrates an in-take placement for the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 as part of an example water treatment device 500. The example in FIG. 15 includes two columns in the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410. The columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 is connected by multiple fluid conduits to the fill valve 411 of the toilet tank.

[0093] A fill valve assembly includes a water supply 422 (e.g., conduit, tube, connector), a float 420, and a fill valve 421. As water enters the tank from the utility through the water supply 422, a side connector 423 diverts the flow of water away from the fill valve assembly and to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 through the fill bypass tube 418. The fill bypass tube 418 connects removably to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 using a connector 424. The connector 424 may be a screw connector or a cap that connects the bypass tube 418 to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410.

[0094] Another water input may be provided to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 through tube 417 at the overflow output of the fill valve assembly. When the water level in the tank is low, such as after a flush, the float 421 falls and opens the fill valve 421 at the top of the fill valve assembly. Rather than being provided down the overflow tube to fill the sump of the toilet bowl, it is first diverted to the tube 417 and into the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410.

[0095] Within the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410, one or more polyphosphate beads 201 or other dissolvable solids is provided with the housing 412 to dissolve in the water.

[0096] There may also be two outputs to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410. A first output 413 may be provided by a tube that is connected to a cleaning device 220. Alternatively, the first output 413 may be connected to a top back to the overflow portion of the fill valve assembly. A second output 425 may be an opening, spout, or tube, that provides water including the dissolved compound back to the tank.

[0097] In this example, the tube 418 is a first tube connecting a first output of the fill valve to the container the tube 417 a second tube connecting a second output of the fill valve to the container. Further, the output 413 may connect to a third tube connecting a first output of the container 410 to the fill valve assembly. Finally, a fourth tube may connect output 425 of the container 410 to the toilet tank.

[0098] FIG. 16A illustrates an example toilet with an internal columnar water treatment device. In this example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 is connected inside of the toilet 430. The toilet 430 may be a tankless toilet or smart toilet. Water is supplied from the utility or other water source to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 and then out to the rim, sump, or other jets of the toilet 430.

[0099] FIG. 16B illustrates an example toilet with an external columnar water treatment device. In this example, the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 is mounted to the wall or another structure external to a toilet 440. Water is supplied from the utility or other water source to the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 and then out to the rim, sump, or other jets of the toilet 440.

[0100] FIG. 17A illustrates another example external water treatment device 441 for a toilet 450. FIG. 17B illustrates the water treatment device 441 may include a housing 444 including multiple polyphosphate beads 201 or other dissolvable compounds. The housing 444 may include multiple chambers as described herein. The housing 444 may be removable. The housing 444 may clip into an upper mount 445, which includes a swivel cap 446.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 17C, a water supply hose may connect to the water treatment device 441 at connector 443. A hand valve 442 may be configured to stop the flow of water from the water supply at connector 443 into the housing 444.

[0102] When the user loads new polyphosphate beads 201 or other dissolvable solids into the housing 444, the user may turn hand valve 442 to block the water supply. Then the housing 444 may be swiveled using the swivel cap 446 to reveal an opening where the polyphosphate beads 201 are loaded. Finally, the loaded hosing is reconnected to the upper mount 445 and the hand valve 442 is turned back to the on position.

[0103] FIG. 18 illustrates another external columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410 for a toilet 280. An accessory such as toile brush 271 may also be cleaned by the columnar polyphosphate container water treatment device 410. In this example, the polyphosphate or other dissolvable solid may be dissolved in a cavity that is substantially seal by the toilet brush. For example, a base 372 of the brush may provide the cap or lid of the cavity. Thus, the accessory is cleaned by the same water that is provided to the toilet 280.

[0104] FIG. 19 illustrates an example controller for any of the anti-scale systems using electrical power (e.g., indicator 409) and / or an electronic flush valve. The controller 400 may include a processor 300, a memory 352, and a communication interface 353 for interfacing with devices or to the internet and / or other networks 346. In addition to the communication interface 353, a sensor interface may be configured to receive data from the sensors described herein or data from any source for detecting the presence of water, detecting the presence of or strength of disinfectant, detecting the actuation of a flush cycle, detecting the presence of a user or gesture, of the devices described herein. The components of the control system 400 may communicate using bus 348. The control system 400 may be connected to a workstation or another external device (e.g., control panel) and / or a database for receiving user inputs, system characteristics, and any of the values described herein.

[0105] FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart for operation of the water treatment device including an anti-scale treatment chamber and a cleaning chamber. Additional, different or fewer acts may be included.

[0106] At act S101, the controller 400 sets a timer. The timer may be a preset timer that does not change duration. The timer duration may be set by a user (e.g., from input device 355). The timer duration may be accessed from the memory 352. The timer duration may be set by a dip switch. The timer duration may be associated with a particular type of dissolvable compound placed in the water treatment device. In some instances, a separate duration may be used for the anti-scale treatment chamber and the cleaning chamber. In this example, the controller 400 may select the short of the two durations. At act S103, the controller 400 determines when the timer has reached a time durations.

[0107] At act S105, the controller 400 causes the indicator to announce that a replacement of the anti-scale compound and / or the cleaning compound. The indicator may light a visual indicator (e.g., LED). The indicator may include an audible buzzer, bell, ring, tone, or announcement.

[0108] At act S107, the controller 400 resets the timer. The timer may be reset based on a reset button (e.g., input device 355) depressed by the user when loading the anti-scale compound and / or the cleaning compound. The timer may be reset based on the opening of a lid or cap of the water treatment device. For example, a sensor may detect when the lid of the water treatment device has been removed and / or replaced.

[0109] Optionally, the control system 400 may include an input device 355 and / or a sensing circuit in communication with any of the sensors. The sensing circuit receives sensor measurements from as described above. The input device 355 may include a switch (e.g., actuator), a touchscreen coupled to or integrated with, a keyboard, a remote, a microphone for voice inputs, a camera for gesture inputs, and / or another mechanism.

[0110] Optionally, the control system 400 may include a drive unit 340 for receiving and reading non-transitory computer media 341 having instructions 342. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included. The processor 300 is configured to perform instructions 342 stored in memory 352 for executing the algorithms described herein. A display 350 may be supported by any of the components described herein. The display 350 may be combined with the user input device 355.

[0111] Processor 300 may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. Processor 300 is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory 352 or received from other computer readable media (e.g., embedded flash memory, local hard disk storage, local ROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.). The processor 300 may be a single device or combinations of devices, such as associated with a network, distributed processing, or cloud computing.

[0112] Memory 352 may include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and / or computer code for completing and / or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. Memory 352 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and / or computer instructions. Memory 352 may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. Memory 352 may be communicably connected to processor 300 via a processing circuit and may include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor 300) one or more processes described herein. For example, memory 298 may include graphics, web pages, HTML files, XML files, script code, shower configuration files, or other resources for use in generating graphical user interfaces for display and / or for use in interpreting user interface inputs to make command, control, or communication decisions.

[0113] In addition to ingress ports and egress ports, the communication interface 353 may include any operable connection. An operable connection may be one in which signals, physical communications, and / or logical communications may be sent and / or received. An operable connection may include a physical interface, an electrical interface, and / or a data interface. The communication interface 353 may be connected to a network. The network may include wired networks (e.g., Ethernet), wireless networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, or WiMax network, a Bluetooth pairing of devices, or a Bluetooth mesh network. Further, the network may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP / IP based networking protocols.

[0114] While the computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 352) is shown to be a single medium, the term "computer-readable medium" includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

[0115] In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered a distribution medium that is a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored. The computer-readable medium may be non-transitory, which includes all tangible computer-readable media.

[0116] In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

[0117] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0118] While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of the invention. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

[0119] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and / or collectively, by the term "invention" merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

[0120] It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that the following claims including all equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention. The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.

[0121] An aspect provides a toilet comprising: a tank; a fill valve configured to regulate a flow of water into the tank; and a water treatment device coupled to the fill valve and supported within the tank, wherein the water treatment device is configured to treat the flow of water into the tank.

[0122] The water treatment device may include one or more beads for template assisted crystallization. The water treatment device may include a saturator having two or more chemical compounds. The water treatment device may include an ion filter. The water treatment device may include a multi-element alloy. The water treatment device may include an electric field inhibitor. The water treatment device may include an acid filter. The water treatment device may include a radio frequency generator.

[0123] Another aspect provides a toilet comprising: a tank; a fill valve configured to regulate a flow of water into the tank; an input pipe fluidly coupled to the fill valve; a water treatment device coupled to the input pipe and supported outside of the tank, wherein the water treatment device is configured to treat the flow of water into the tank.

[0124] The water treatment device may include one or more beads for template assisted crystallization. The water treatment device may include a saturator having two or more chemical compounds. The water treatment device may include an ion filter. The water treatment device may include a multi-element alloy. The water treatment device may include an electric field inhibitor. The water treatment device may include an acid filter. The water treatment device may include a radio frequency generator.

[0125] Another aspect provides a method for toilet tank water treatment, the method comprising: opening a flush valve, coupled to a toilet tank, according to a flush cycle; opening a fill valve, coupled to the toilet tank, according to the flush cycle; and treating water at a water treatment device coupled to the fill valve.

[0126] The water treatment device may include one or more beads for template assisted crystallization.

[0127] The water treatment device may be supported outside of the tank. The water treatment device may be supported within the tank.

[0128] Another aspect provides a toilet tank comprising: a container configured to hold a dissolvable compound; a cap removable from the container to load the dissolvable compound into the container; and at least one opening for water to enter the container and for water and dissolved compound to exit the container.

[0129] The toilet tank may comprise a hook configured to connect the toilet tank and the container.

[0130] The at least one opening may include a plurality of openings submerged in the toilet tank.

[0131] The dissolved compound may be spherical and / or may align with at least one of the plurality of openings.

[0132] The container may include a plurality of columns housing the dissolvable compound.

[0133] The toilet tank may comprise a diffuser configured to distribute water across the plurality of columns.

[0134] The at least one opening may include an entrance port and an exit port.

[0135] The toilet tank may comprise a chamber, separate from the container, including a second dissolvable compound. The second dissolvable compound may include at least sodium hypochlorite.

[0136] The toilet tank may comprise: a first tube configured to connect a fill valve to the container; and a second tube configured to connect the container to the chamber.

[0137] The toilet tank may comprise a fill valve connected to the water supply and connected to the container.

[0138] The toilet tank may comprise: a first tube connecting a first output of the fill valve to the container; and a second tube connecting a second output of the fill valve to the container.

[0139] The toilet tank may comprise a third tube connecting a first output of the container to the fill valve.

[0140] The toilet tank may comprise a fourth tube connecting a second output of the container to the toilet tank.

[0141] Another aspect provides a toilet tank comprising: a fill valve; a flush valve; a first chamber connected to the fill valve and configured to hold a first dissolvable compound; a second chamber connected to the flush valve and configured to hold a second dissolvable compound; and at least one passage fluidly connecting the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0142] The toilet tank may comprise at least one cap removable from the first chamber or the second chamber to load the first dissolvable compound or the second dissolvable compound.

[0143] The toilet tank may comprise: at least one first chamber opening for water to enter the first chamber; and at least one first chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to exit the first chamber.

[0144] The toilet tank may comprise: at least one second chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to enter the second chamber; and at least one second chamber opening for water, the first dissolved compound, and the second dissolved compound to exit the second chamber.

[0145] The first dissolvable compound may substantially prevent scale. The second dissolvable compound may clean a toilet bowl.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0010]The following embodiments include apparatus and techniques for disinfection and reduction of scale in the interior of a toilet tank and / or one or more water flows associated with the toilet tank. A water treatment device may be placed with the toilet tank to treat water as in enters the toilet tank through one or more fill valves. In other examples, the water treatment device may be placed in line with a water supply or input pipe that supplies the flow of water to the one or more fill valves.

[0011]The following embodiments include devices and techniques for the reduction, mitigation, or prevention of scale in plumbing devices and / or disinfection of plumbing devices. The plumbing devices may include pipes, faucets, bathtubs, showers, water softeners, water heaters, toilets or other devices. The term "plumbing fixture" refers to an apparatus that is connected to a plumbing system of a house, building or another structure. The term "bathroom fixture" may more specifically refer ...

Claims

1. A toilet tank comprising: a container configured to hold a dissolvable compound; a cap removable from the container to load the dissolvable compound into the container; and at least one opening for water to enter the container and for water and dissolved compound to exit the container.

2. The toilet tank of claim 1, further comprising a hook configured to connect the toilet tank and the container.

3. The toilet tank of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings submerged in the toilet tank, optionally wherein the dissolved compound is spherical and aligns with at least one of the plurality of openings.

4. The toilet tank of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the container includes a plurality of columns housing the dissolvable compound.

5. The toilet tank of claim 5, further comprising a diffuser configured to distribute water across the plurality of columns.

6. The toilet tank of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the at least one opening includes an entrance port and an exit port.

7. The toilet tank of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a chamber, separate from the container, including a second dissolvable compound; optionally wherein the second dissolvable compound includes at least sodium hypochlorite.

8. The toilet tank of claim 7, further comprising: a first tube configured to connect a fill valve to the container; and a second tube configured to connect the container to the chamber.

9. The toilet tank of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fill valve connected to the water supply and connected to the container.

10. The toilet tank of claim 9, further comprising: a first tube connecting a first output of the fill valve to the container; and a second tube connecting a second output of the fill valve to the container.

11. The toilet tank of claim 9 or claim 10, further comprising: a third tube connecting a first output of the container to the fill valve; and / or a fourth tube connecting a second output of the container to the toilet tank.

12. A toilet tank comprising: a fill valve; a flush valve; a first chamber connected to the fill valve and configured to hold a first dissolvable compound; a second chamber connected to the flush valve and configured to hold a second dissolvable compound; and at least one passage fluidly connecting the first chamber and the second chamber; and optionally at least one cap removable from the first chamber or the second chamber to load the first dissolvable compound or the second dissolvable compound.

13. The toilet tank of claim 12, further comprising: at least one first chamber opening for water to enter the first chamber; and at least one first chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to exit the first chamber.

14. The toilet tank of claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising: at least one second chamber opening for water and the first dissolved compound to enter the second chamber; and at least one second chamber opening for water, the first dissolved compound, and the second dissolved compound to exit the second chamber.

15. The toilet tank of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first dissolvable compound substantially prevents scale, optionally wherein the second dissolvable compound cleans a toilet bowl.

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