Patents Examined by Christine Skubinna
  • Patent number: 10273675
    Abstract: A hybrid flushing system for water free urinals is presented with a housing having a wall portion forming a cavity for receiving a cartridge. The housing also includes a flushing fluid inlet portion for receiving a flushing fluid and a flushing fluid directing portion configured to direct the flushing fluid. A cartridge for installation into a housing is presented, including a cartridge wall, a flushing fluid receiving portion and a flushing fluid directing portion to direct flushing fluid received to any portion to clean areas of the housing, the cartridge, and connected plumbing. Steps for cleaning a hybrid flushing system are presented with an act of directing a flushing fluid into an area, where the area is one of a cartridge for a hybrid flushing system, a housing for a hybrid flushing system, and a plumbing system connected with the hybrid flushing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: FALCON WATERFREE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Edward Michael Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 10253487
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sanitary washing apparatus includes: a nozzle including a jetting port and configured to squirt water from the jetting port to wash a user's body; a flow channel configured to guide water supplied from a water supply source to the jetting port; an electrolytic cell provided midway along the flow channel and being operable to produce sterilizing water; a heating device provided on the flow channel on upstream side of the electrolytic cell; a nozzle cleaning device configured to clean or sterilize the nozzle with the water heated by the heating device or the sterilizing water produced by the electrolytic cell; and a controller configured to perform control for stopping energization of the heating device or reducing an amount of energization of the heating device when energizing the electrolytic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Yo Morotomi, Koichiro Matsushita, Satoru Matsumoto, Katsunori Ishii, Yukiko Yano
  • Patent number: 10246863
    Abstract: A drain valve for low-level water tank flushing includes a drain valve body, a low-level washing ring flushing device and a switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a switch element and a switch sheet. The switch element is connected to the switch sheet by using a lifting rod. When the switch element opens a sealing assembly of the drain valve body under the action of an external force, the switch sheet changes a channel between a water inlet and a water outlet from a small opening state to a big opening state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: XIAMEN AXENT CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Wenqing Xie, Fusheng Li
  • Patent number: 10244905
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a toilet seat apparatus that includes a main part mounted at a rear upper part of a toilet, a toilet seat provided rotatably with respect to the main part, and a radio wave sensor being provided in the interior of the main part and using a radio wave to sense a human body; and in the state in which the toilet seat is lowered, the toilet seat covers the radio wave sensor, and the radio wave passes through the toilet seat and is radiated frontward of the radio wave sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Masami Tsujita, Takeshi Yasugata, Yuji Ota
  • Patent number: 10245210
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a whirlpool bathtub, in which the mounting structure of a whirlpool spa motor pump is improved such that the attachment and detachment of the whirlpool spa motor pump can be conveniently carried out inside the bathtub. To this end, the present invention includes a lower housing having an upper flange and a lower flange, an impeller for rotating by a motor, which is provided to the lower housing, so as to generate suction force, an upper housing coupled to an upper portion of the lower housing by a coupling means and having a suction holes and a discharge holes, two or more slider rails vertically provided on the outside of the lower housing, a mounting bolt provided to the upper and lower flanges, so as to be positioned at one side of the slider rail, a slider fitted with the mounting bolt, and a slider holder inserted into the slider so as to be screw-coupled with the mounting bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: J&A USA INC.
    Inventor: YunHo Kim
  • Patent number: 10227764
    Abstract: A valve control system may include a latch valve controlling a stream of water in a pipe; a flow rate sensor measuring a flow rate in the pipe; and a valve control device determining that the latch valve is malfunctioning if a flow rate value measured by the flow rate sensor is not within a pre-set flow rate value range corresponding to a valve operation and controlling the latch valve to re-operate in the occurrence of the malfunction, wherein the valve control device may include a first timing device determining the number of re-operations of the latch valve, and wherein when the number of re-operations of the latch valve determined by the first timing device exceeds a pre-set number, the valve control device may control the latch valve to perform a reverse operation of the operation performed during the re-operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Coway Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Joung-Ho Son, In-Seok Seo, Ki-Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 10219959
    Abstract: A movable sanitary station for use with a hospital bed includes a cabinet with a front side, a back side, a right side, a left side, a bottom and a top. The back side of the cabinet has a concave shape forming a semi-cylindrical cavity having an axis extending laterally along the back side of the cabinet, permitting a mattress of the bed to protrude forward into the semi-cylindrical cavity. The top extends over the mattress of the bed to cover a gap between a foot of the mattress and the back side of the cabinet. The movable sanitary station also includes a set of wheels for supporting and moving the cabinet and a toilet seat integrated in a central portion of the top of the cabinet and surrounding a first aperture formed through the top of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: COMFORT MASTER HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: C J Phillips
  • Patent number: 10214889
    Abstract: An in-toilet leak detector is disclosed, as are communication systems for reporting toilet leaks. The leak detector comprises an inlet that receives water from the toilet's fill tube and diverts it through a flow tube. A capacitive sensor is located between the inlet and an opening of the flow tube from which water flows into the overflow tube of the toilet tank. A housing is connected to the flow tube and the inlet and contains a controller and other electronics, including one or more transceivers. The leak detector measures the duration of water flow and establishes an alert if the water flow is shorter or longer in duration than a calibrated normal duration. The transceivers connect the leak detector to a computer network, and leak alerts are communicated to a server or servers so that they can be forwarded directly to those responsible for fixing the toilets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Leak Beeper, LLC
    Inventors: James A Brackett, Sr., John Beal, Timothy Bottger
  • Patent number: 10213057
    Abstract: A bathing vessel includes a base and at least one wall extending vertically from the base. The wall includes a multi-layer structure that includes a layer of acrylic material on a first layer of polyurethane material, a layer of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material between the layer of acrylic material and the first layer of polyurethane material, and a second layer of polyurethane material between the layer of ABS material and the first layer of polyurethane material. A wood-containing composite panel is chemically bonded to at least one of the first or second layers of polyurethane material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DELTA FAUCET COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Glenn Geels, Jeffrey McKinley Boyd, Scott Kapelanski
  • Patent number: 10206548
    Abstract: An antimicrobial toilet includes an inner surface of a toilet bowl which includes a non-doped titanium dioxide coating. The titanium dioxide coating is photocatalytic and antimicrobial in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) light. In the absence of UV light, the inner surface of the toilet bowl is not antimicrobial. The UV light source may be actuated after the waste has exited the toilet bowl. Consequently, the waste may be used in digesters used to produce clean energy or for analysis to assess the user's health status without being exposed to the antimicrobial properties of the titanium dioxide coating. The UV light may then be actuated to disinfect the toilet bowl. The outer shell of the toilet is coated with a doped titanium dioxide. The doped titanium dioxide is photocatalytic and antimicrobial in the presence of visible light. The outer shell is antimicrobial when standard room lights are actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J. M. Butala, Ben Swenson, Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 10208468
    Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of a toilet system on-board an aircraft is disclosed. The toilet system includes a toilet bowl, a fluid valve controlling input of fluid into the toilet bowl, a flush switch configured to be activated by a user, and a controller configured to operate the fluid valve. The method includes detecting an activation of the flush switch, monitoring a flush switch activation time period, and determining whether the flush switch activation time period exceeds a preset threshold time period. In response to determining that flush switch activation time period does not exceed the preset threshold time period, a standard flush cycle is initiated. In response to determining that the flush switch activation time period exceeds the preset threshold time period, a maintenance mode is initiated allowing a larger volume of fluid to fill the toilet bowl for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hardwick, Thao Hoang, Bradley J. Buniak, Christian C. Kurshinsky, William Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10202746
    Abstract: A fill valve assembly for use in a water storage tank including: a tube; an inlet valve assembly supported by the tube and including an inlet valve and a valve lever operatively coupled to the inlet valve, the inlet valve being on in a first position of the valve lever, and being off in a second position of the valve lever; a float constrained for axial movement in a direction along the tube and coupled to the valve lever; and a linkage assembly positioned between the valve lever and the tube and pivoting between a first upright position wherein the valve lever is maintained in the first position and a second folded position, the linkage assembly including a pivot axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tube, the float coupled to linkage assembly and constrained from axial movement when the linkage assembly is in the upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Waxman Consumer Products Group Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Marsic, Jason A. Sharratt, Tianzhe Wang
  • Patent number: 10202747
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the waste outlet of a toilet includes, according to an implementation, a motor comprising a Hall effect sensor that detects the rotation of the motor and generates a position signal in response thereto; a mechanical actuator coupled to the motor; a door coupled to the mechanical actuator, wherein the door is disposed at the waste outlet of the toilet; logic circuitry that receives the position signal, generates a control signal to move the door based at least in part on the position signal, and transmits the control signal to the motor. The motor operates according to the control signal to drive the mechanical actuator to move the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Thao Hoang, Bradley J. Buniak, Christian C. Kurshinsky, Stephen M. Niznik, William Pedersen, Mark A. Pondelick
  • Patent number: 10196804
    Abstract: A solution supply comprises a container having a space and a channel socket in the space to allow the solution to flow out of the container, the container floated by buoyance in a water tank and a feeder opening or closing the channel socket by buoyance and gravity in the water tank, wherein the feeder includes a dispenser having an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the upper portion of the dispenser includes a coupling body having an upper portion assembled with the channel socket along the same axis as the channel socket and moved by the buoyance of the container, and the lower portion of the dispenser includes a weight center base supporting the coupling body and a shutter stem coupled with an upper portion of the weight center base and having a stem seal for opening and closing to the channel socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNICO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Hwan Roh, Seung Hyun Roh, Seo Hyun Roh
  • Patent number: 10188246
    Abstract: An odor-removing hinge system and method of use for withdrawing noxious odors from toilets and portable commodes is disclosed. The present seat hinge system includes an integrated housing that functions as a portion of an exhaust pathway for noxious gases expelled within the toilet bowl. The present hinge system includes at least one hollow bolt disposed in fluid communication with the housing, which is used to secure the toilet seat to the toilet. In one embodiment the noxious gases within the toilet bowl are carried by convection or vacuum via connective tubing to an exhaust conduit installed in an adjacent wall. In other embodiments the noxious gases are directed through a detachable air filter assembly secured to the housing and the odorless filtered air is recirculated. In a method of use the present hinge system is retrofitted to existing toilets and portables commodes in replacement of standard toilet seat hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Egor Ciotic
  • Patent number: 10190305
    Abstract: A drainage system (1) for installation in a wet area such as a shower stall. The drainage system (1) comprises an outer drainage conduit (2) adapted to extend within a subfloor (100) of a wet area and an inner drainage conduit (3). The conduit (2) comprises a rim (20) and a pipe body (21). The inner drainage conduit (3) also comprises a rim (30) and a pipe body (31). The rim (30) and pipe body (31) are nestable within the outer drainage conduit (2). When nested, the pipe bodies (21, 31) are adapted to be connectively sealed together using sealant, the rims (20, 30) are adapted to hold a waterproofing membrane (107) between the rims (20, 30,) and to be connectively sealed in a water-tight manner to the waterproofing membrane (107) using sealant or, in the absence of a waterproofing membrane (107), the rims (20, 30) are adapted to be connectively sealed together using sealant in a water-tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Elfblend Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Leslie Lawrence Howson
  • Patent number: 10190297
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mobile sink assembly including a container partitioned into two compartments with an overflow aperture in a dividing wall providing fluid communication between an upper compartment and a lower compartment. There is a first trap in the top opening of the upper compartment and a second trap positionable below the first trap. There is a riser and valve assembly coupled to the draining aperture in the first trap and configured to control a flow of liquid from the first trap. There is a pump that pumps fluid from the lower compartment to the first trap. In this way water recirculates through the traps while particulate matter is retained in the first and second traps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SMART SINKS PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Craig Hanson
  • Patent number: 10182684
    Abstract: A composite curb for a shower base, and a self-sealing anchoring cap for a shower curb. The composite curb includes a lower-density base portion formed of closed cell foam, and a higher-density anchoring cap portion attached to the base. The self-sealing anchoring cap comprises a resilient or self-healing material or a self-sealing layer, and is configured to retain a fastener therein and form a water-resistant seal between the fastener and the anchoring cap portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: DAVIS INTELLECTUAL ASSETS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10184232
    Abstract: An electronic faucet assembly includes a mixing valve and a user interface in communication with a controller. Input to the user interface illustratively causes the controller to operate in a flow control mode or a temperature control mode. In the flow control mode the mixing valve provides flow control of water at a constant temperature, while in the temperature control mode the mixing valve provides temperature control of water at a constant flow. A memory device may be secured to a faucet component to store identification data related thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Veros, Kurt J. Thomas, Mark Galambus, Adam M. DeVries, Anthony E. Tyner, Joel D. Sawaski, Kyle Robert Davidson
  • Patent number: 10184235
    Abstract: A fluid inlet portion for a waterless urinal cartridge is presented. The fluid inlet portion comprises to fluid director comprising a non-linear surface proximate a throat portion of the cartridge formed to impart a horizontal velocity component to fluid flowing through the throat portion of the cartridge to reduce vertical turbulence within the fluid. The fluid director can be formed so that it is in fluid communication with at least part of a fluid layer within the cartridge. The non-linear surface imparts a horizontal velocity component, thereby reducing disruption of the fluid layer by fluid flowing through the throat portion of the cartridge. The fluid director may be positioned within the cartridge to impart a substantially horizontal swirling motion to fluid within the cartridge. A fluid deflector proximate the fluid director can receive fluid from the fluid deflector and for re-directing the fluid from the fluid director.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FALCON WATERFREE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Edward Michael Goldsmith