Patents Assigned to Thetford Corporation
  • Patent number: 8176577
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a bowl assembly defining a bowl. The bowl assembly has a discharge outlet at a lower end and a ledge circumferentially extending about a substantial portion of the bowl. The bowl has a rear surface that is generally flat and vertical. The rear surface transitions to the ledge as the bowl continues clockwise and counter clockwise from the rear surface. A horizontal dimension of the ledge increases as the ledge continues from the rear surface to a front of the bowl. An angle of the ledge increases as the ledge continues from the rear surface to the front. A maximum slope of the ledge is located proximate the front. A nozzle is mounted to the bowl assembly for pressurizing a source of flush water and delivering the source of flush water to the bowl for rinsing and flushing of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: George Grech, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 8167587
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes a housing and first and second valves. The housing has a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port. The first and second valves are substantially identical valves both including a mounting portion, a valve seat and a valve body. The mounting portion has a first end and a second opposite end. The first and second ends are both selectively mountable to a conduit defining a fluid path. The valve seat is interconnected to the mounting portion. The valve body is interconnected to at least one of the mounting portion and the valve seat for movement relative to the valve seat between a seated position and a closed position. The valve body includes a first side and a second side and is operative to seal against back flow from the first side and open to positive pressures on the second side. The first valve is mounted to the fluid inlet port with the first end such that the first valve normally functions to only permit fluid to flow into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Noah Dorsey, Michael Juska, Jason Smith, Brian Kelly
  • Publication number: 20110315236
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lannie L. STEGALL
  • Patent number: 7996929
    Abstract: A toilet system includes a toilet and a pump assembly. The toilet has a bowl and a base. The base has a hopper for receiving waste from the bowl. The pump assembly is operative for pumping a source of flush water to the bowl and for pumping the waste from the hopper. A first flexible conduit interconnects the pump assembly and the bowl. A second flexible conduit interconnects the pump assembly and the hopper. The pump assembly is flexibly interconnected to the toilet for independent positioning relative to the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Good, Michael Juska, Jason Smith, Noah Dorsey, Brian Kelly
  • Publication number: 20110192428
    Abstract: A method and composition for treating a wastewater storage tank during non-use. The method comprises adding a storage deodorant composition to a wastewater storage tank, the storage deodorant composition comprising an odor control agent, a detergent, a surface active agent, and a lubricant; and leaving the storage composition in the wastewater storage tank for a period of 1 day to 12 months.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Mary R. BURROWS, M. Karin JOHANSSON
  • Publication number: 20110094023
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a bowl assembly defining a bowl. The bowl assembly has a discharge outlet at a lower end and a ledge circumferentially extending about a substantial portion of the bowl. The bowl has a rear surface that is generally flat and vertical. The rear surface transitions to the ledge as the bowl continues clockwise and counter clockwise from the rear surface. A horizontal dimension of the ledge increases as the ledge continues from the rear surface to a front of the bowl. An angle of the ledge increases as the ledge continues from the rear surface to the front. A maximum slope of the ledge is located proximate the front. A nozzle is mounted to the bowl assembly for pressurizing a source of flush water and delivering the source of flush water to the bowl for rinsing and flushing of the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Grech, Michael Fritz, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Craig Karagitz, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
  • Publication number: 20110094024
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Grech, Michael Fritz, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Craig Karagitz, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 7861331
    Abstract: A reduced water consumption flush toilet for a motor vehicle includes a bowl assembly, a waste ball valve assembly and a water valve assembly. The bowl assembly defines a bowl and a discharge opening at a lower end of the bowl. The waste ball valve assembly is mounted to the flush toilet for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening of the bowl assembly. The water valve assembly delivers a source of flush water to the bowl. The water valve assembly includes a water valve operable in a water valve open condition and a water valve closed condition. The flush toilet further includes a common actuator for controlling both the waste ball valve assembly and the water valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: George Grech, Michael Fritz, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Craig Karagitz, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 7765625
    Abstract: A flush toilet assembly includes a bowl assembly defining a bowl and a base supporting the bowl assembly. One of the bowl assembly and the base may include a male coupling element and the other may include a cooperating female coupling element. A flush lever may be interconnected to the base for movement between first and second positions and may include a cam surface. A water valve may include a cam follower associated with the cam surface and may be moveable from a closed to an open position through cooperative engagement of the cam surface and cam follower in response to movement of the flush lever from the first to the second position. The base may integrally define a flush water path extending between an inlet port and an outlet port. The water valve may be disposed within a recess defined by the base which intersects the flush water path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Sheryar Durrani, Greg Exner, William R. Cohoon
  • Patent number: 7753461
    Abstract: A refrigerator shelving system includes an item retainer for securing items carried on a shelf, a mounting member for releasably securing a shelf to a cabinet of the refrigerator, and a spill tray carried by the shelf. The item retainer is movable between a first position and a second position such that when in the first position, a first side upwardly extends from the shelf and defines a fence and when in the second position the first side is parallel and adjacent to an upper surface of the shelf. The shelf mounting member includes a first portion rotatably interconnected to a lateral side of the shelf and a second portion for selectively engaging a horizontal slot of a cabinet of the refrigerator. The mounting member is rotatable from a first position to a second position to engage the second portion with the horizontal slot. The spill tray includes a main body portion and a plurality of mounting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Leistner, John M. Antos, James C. Butler, John W. Wissinger
  • Publication number: 20100018590
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suzanne Damaske, Carrie Ellen Hall, Dan Delaney, Kenneth J. Hall, Andy Bialorucki, George Grech
  • Publication number: 20090175758
    Abstract: A method and composition for treating a wastewater storage tank during non-use. The method comprises adding a storage deodorant composition to a wastewater storage tank, the storage deodorant composition comprising an odor control agent, a detergent, a surface active agent, and a lubricant; and leaving the storage composition in the wastewater storage tank for a period of 1 day to 12 months.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mary R. BURROWS, M. Karin JOHANSSON
  • Patent number: D593187
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Good, Brian Kelly, Michael Juska
  • Patent number: D595393
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Good, Brian Kelly, Michael Juska
  • Patent number: D612912
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Delaney, Suzanne Damaske, Carrie Ellen Hall, Andy Bialorucki
  • Patent number: D613826
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Carrie Ellen Hall, Suzanne Damaske, Andy Bialorucki, Dan Delaney
  • Patent number: D613827
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Suzanne Damaske, Les Kohli, Kenneth J. Hall
  • Patent number: RE42688
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventor: Lannie Stegall
  • Patent number: D654575
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Cornille
  • Patent number: D654576
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Cornille