Patents Assigned to Thetford Corporation
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Patent number: 9908122Abstract: A waste fluid containment and draining system may have a black waste water holding structure for holding black waste water and a grey waste water holding structure for holding grey waste water. First and second valves may be included for enabling selective emptying of the two holding structures. A macerator pump may be used which has an input in flow communication with both of the first and second valves. A discharge conduit may be in flow communication with an output of the macerator pump. A control subsystem may be in communication with the first and second valves and the macerator pump for controlling the first and second valves, together with the macerator pump, to enable selective pumping out of the holding structures by the macerator pump through the discharge conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: THETFORD CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas Cornille, Timothy Schultz
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Patent number: 9644143Abstract: Working material for absorption machines using ammonia (NH3) or methylamine (CH3NH2) or dimethylamine ((CH3)2NH) as the working agent and using water (H2O) as the solvent, to which a small amount of basic water glass is added, i.e., a certain mixture of water glass and bases, which does not contain any chromium salts as corrosion inhibitors.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: THETFORD CORPORATIONInventor: Jürgen Keller
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Patent number: 9250011Abstract: A cooling unit constructed in accordance with one example of the present disclosure includes an outer shell that defines an interior volume. A cooling system cools the interior volume. A temperature sensor senses a temperature within the interior volume. A heating element is disposed within the interior volume. A controller communicates with the temperature sensor and the heating element and activates the heating element based on the temperature satisfying a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: THETFORD CORPORATIONInventors: Pieter Dirk Berkhout, Joost Moelands
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Patent number: 9080323Abstract: A flush toilet includes a base and a bowl assembly defining a bowl. The bowl assembly is mounted to the base and defines a discharge opening at a lower end of the bowl. A waste ball valve assembly is mounted to the flush toilet for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening of the bowl assembly. A common sealing member operates to seal the bowl to the base and to wipe a ball of the waste ball valve assembly as the waste ball valve assembly is selectively opened and closed. The common sealing member has a generally horizontal portion for wiping the ball of the ball valve assembly and a compressible cylindrical portion upwardly extending from the generally horizontal portion. The cylindrical portion is compressed between the base and the bowl to define a seal therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: George Grech, Michael Fritz, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Craig Karagitz, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
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Patent number: 8997268Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
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Patent number: 8984675Abstract: An adapter includes an interface module that receives signals from a first sensor that indicate a first fill status of a holding tank. A control module of the adapter generates a control signal based on the first fill status. The toilet is at least partially controlled by a toilet control module that restricts a flush capability of the toilet based on the control signal. An isolation module of the adapter isolates the interface module and the control module from at least one of voltage and current fluctuations that are external to the adapter.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: James Miller, Rick Danks, Ian Vivero
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Patent number: 8826939Abstract: A drain system for transporting waste from a vehicle to a discharge location located spaced from the vehicle may include first, second and third modular components. The first modular component may be adapted to coupling to the vehicle and may define a first male connection. The second modular component may include a waste transfer portion extending between a first end and a second end. The first end may define a first female connection and the second end may define a second male connection. The third modular component may include an angled central portion, a first end and a second end. The first end may define a second female connection. The second end may define a waste discharge end. The drain system may further include a fourth modular component defining a first end having an opening for receiving the waste discharge end of the third modular component and a second end for interfacing with a tubular intake of the discharge location.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: Suzanne Damaske, Carrie Ellen Hall, Dan Delaney, Kenneth J. Hall, Andy Bialorucki, George Grech
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Patent number: 8777434Abstract: A refrigerator constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a cabinet that defines an interior volume. A first door is coupled to the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A light is disposed on the cabinet outside of the interior volume. The light is configured to illuminate when the door is in the open position and shine light toward the interior volume.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: Jacco Van Beek, Wilco Wessels
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Publication number: 20140091261Abstract: Working material for absorption machines using ammonia (NH3) or methylamine (CH3NH2) or dimethylamine ((CH3)2NH) as the working agent and using water (H2O) as the solvent, to which a small amount of basic water glass is added, i.e., a certain mixture of water glass and bases, which does not contain any chromium salts as corrosion inhibitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATIONInventor: Jürgen KELLER
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Patent number: 8672177Abstract: A includes a main body portion defining a waste holding chamber, a vent path extending from the waste holding chamber to atmosphere, and a float member. The float member is coupled to the tank for movement between a first position and a second position. The float member is movable from the first position to the second position in response to an increase in fluid level within the storage chamber. The vent passage remains open for venting the storage chamber when the float member is in the first position and is blocks the vent passage in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: Kenneth Hall, Sheryar Durrani
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Patent number: 8656963Abstract: A wastewater drainage system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle (RV), is provided. The system includes a pump, such as a macerator pump, in selective fluid communication with the black water tank and the gray water tank, and a drainage hose connected to the exit end of the pump for directing wastewater to a wastewater storage area. The system allows the RV user to clean the black water tank using water from the gray water tank, and allows gray water to be stored in the black water tank so that less time is spent draining the tanks and more time is spent enjoying the RV experience.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventor: Lannie L. Stegall
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Publication number: 20130232677Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATIONInventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
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Patent number: 8529223Abstract: A pump assembly includes a housing defining a working chamber, a water pump chamber and a waste pump chamber. A first diaphragm separates the water pump chamber and the working chamber. A second diaphragm separates the waste pump chamber and the working chamber. A common driver member interconnects the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. Movement of the driven member to a first position creates a positive pressure in the water pump chamber and a negative pressure in the waste pump chamber. Movement of the driven member to a second position creates a negative pressure in the water pump chamber and a positive pressure in the waste pump chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: William R. Cohoon, George Grech, Steven A. Meyer
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Patent number: 8516622Abstract: A sanitary system for a motor vehicle includes a bowl assembly, a base coupled to the bowl assembly and a mobile holding tank removably coupled to the toilet for receiving waste from the toilet and stowable within a storage area defined by the base. The sanitary system further includes a pumping arrangement having a first portion carried by the base and a cooperating second portion carried by the mobile holding tank. The first portion engages the second portion when the mobile holding tank is positioned within the storage area so as to define a fluid path from the mobile holding tank to a remote waste storage tank for pumping of waste from the mobile holding tank to the remote waste storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: Frank Schagen, Sander Dijkhoff, Marjan Van Breugel, Thomas Cornille
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Publication number: 20130050984Abstract: A refrigerator constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a cabinet that defines an interior volume. A first door is coupled to the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A light is disposed on the cabinet outside of the interior volume. The light is configured to illuminate when the door is in the open position and shine light toward the interior volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATIONInventors: Jacco VAN BEEK, Wilco WESSELS
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Publication number: 20120279975Abstract: A includes a main body portion defining a waste holding chamber, a vent path extending from the waste holding chamber to atmosphere, and a float member. The float member is coupled to the tank for movement between a first position and a second position. The float member is movable from the first position to the second position in response to an increase in fluid level within the storage chamber. The vent passage remains open for venting the storage chamber when the float member is in the first position and is blocks the vent passage in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATIONInventors: Kenneth HALL, Sheryar DURRANI
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Patent number: 8276218Abstract: A macerator toilet comprising a toilet body include a bowl portion and a base portion, the base portion defining a chamber and a macerator unit in fluid communication with the bowl portion, the macerator unit completely disposed in the chamber and operative for macerating a waste received from the bowl unit and pump the waste from the macerator toilet.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventor: George Grech
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Publication number: 20120222206Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATIONInventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
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Patent number: 8230531Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
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Patent number: 8225819Abstract: A includes a main body portion defining a waste holding chamber, a vent path extending from the waste holding chamber to atmosphere, and a float member. The float member is coupled to the tank for movement between a first position and a second position. The float member is movable from the first position to the second position in response to an increase in fluid level within the storage chamber. The vent passage remains open for venting the storage chamber when the float member is in the first position and is blocks the vent passage in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventors: Kenneth Hall, Sheryar Durrani