Patents Examined by Janie Christiansen
  • Patent number: 8789213
    Abstract: A standard fitting toilet commode made with a hardly-noticeable integrated elongated vertical auxiliary chamber located below and behind the seat. The chamber is with a plugged external top opening at the toilet bowl's rear rim behind the seat, and another internal upper side opening connecting with the commode's drain above and downstream of the water siphon. For optional conversion into a self-ventilating toilet, a compact electric fan unit is retrofitted behind the toilet seat and secured thereto at the seat anchor holes. A single intake nozzle sucks toilet bowl gases from under the rear of toilet seat, through the electric fan, and out into the auxiliary chamber's external opening through an exhaust pipe which converts the chamber into a bottle water trap. A built-in detection sensor, an electronic control unit, and a solenoid valve manage the electric fan's operation and the bottle water trap's replenishment with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Hani A. Abunameh
  • Patent number: 8776283
    Abstract: A movable seat is disclosed which is positionable within a shower stall of a type having at least one rear support element, such as a rear ledge, and at least one frontal support element, such as a lower frontal threshold. The movable seat includes an essentially horizontal support that has a rearward portion that is suitable to be supported on the ledge and a leg that extends downwardly from a forward portion of the support to a foot. The seat is sufficiently flexible such that if a weight load of a human or thereabout is placed on the support, then the foot will flex forwardly in response thereto, thereby jamming the seat in place relative to the shower stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Clayton C. Garrels, Thomas M. Spankowski, Jason R. Miller
  • Patent number: 8769729
    Abstract: A linear heater is formed of an enamel wire composed of a heating wire and an enamel layer. The heating wire is made of a copper alloy containing silver, for example. The enamel layer is made of polyester imide (PEI), polyimide (PI) or polyamide imide (PAI), for example. The enamel layer is coated with an insulating coating layer. The insulating coating layer is made of fluororesin such as perfluoroalkoxy mixture (PFA), polyimide (PI), or polyamide imide (PAI). The linear heater is bonded to the lower surface of an upper toilet seat casing such that it is sandwiched between a metal foil and a metal foil made of aluminum, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Nishimura, Shigeru Shirai, Hideki Ohno, Yoshiharu Shimada
  • Patent number: 8769730
    Abstract: A macerating apparatus for a toilet in which the problem of jamming the macerator at startup is solved by rapidly detecting the flushing of the toilet and accelerating the macerator before motion-jamming solid objects in the effluent from the toilet can reach the macerator. The macerating apparatus may be comprised of a macerating cutter operatively connected to a motor, and a sensor in communication with the motor. The sensor may detect the flow of effluent from the toilet toward the macerator, the flow of makeup water from the supply tank into the toilet, or the mechanical action of the mechanism used to flush the toilet. The apparatus may include an intake basket having an asymmetric inlet tube and containing the macerating cutter, wherein the asymmetry of the inlet tube provides additional operating clearance between a cutting blade of the macerating cutter and the intake basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Liberty Pumps, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald M. Pohler, Matthew S. Heinsler
  • Patent number: 8769735
    Abstract: A drainage device for kitchen and bath facilities includes a downspout body (B1) and a pipe cover (B2). The downspout body (B1) is provided with a rotatable linkage unit capable of bending and stretching in vertical direction and a guide unit for guiding vertical movement. The pipe cover (B2) is connected with the upper end of the linkage unit, a coupling member is led out from the side wall of the downspout body (B1), one end of the coupling member is connected with the linkage unit and the other end is connected with an operating mechanism (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ningbo Bosheng Plumbing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Difeng Cen
  • Patent number: 8752219
    Abstract: A bath environment, such as a shower or a tub enclosure, has an outer wall and an area built into the outer wall that extends out of the bath environment. The area supports a user so that a user may pivot thereon to enter into the bath environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Victor Hoernig, Charles A. Patterson, Geraint Krumpe, Man Ki Yoo
  • Patent number: 8701220
    Abstract: A jet powered toilet flushing system, including: a toilet bowl; a reservoir; a fluid conduit between the reservoir and the toilet bowl; a jet inside the reservoir, the jet having a nozzle directed toward an entrance of the fluid conduit; a fill valve that supplies water to the jet; and a flow diverter in the reservoir, the flow diverter positioned to divert water flow: (a) from the jet nozzle into the entrance of the fluid conduit when the reservoir is full, or (b) from the jet nozzle away from the entrance of the fluid conduit and into the reservoir when the reservoir is empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Vargas, Tom Stout, Anurupa Rao
  • Patent number: 8677519
    Abstract: A drainage connector communicates between a drain outlet of a toilet drainage path connected to a toilet bowl and a connecting port of a drain conduit led into a room equipped with a toilet body. The drainage connector includes a casing formed with a flow inlet connected to the drain outlet and a flow outlet connected to the port, and piping disposed in the casing. The piping has an upstream piping having an upstream opening communicating with the flow inlet and forming a downward flow path when the drain outlet communicates with the port and a downstream piping connected to the upstream piping and having a downstream opening open to the casing in a lateral direction along an inner surface of the casing so that flush water flows out in the lateral direction. The downstream piping forms an upward flow path when the drain outlet communicates with the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lixil Corporation
    Inventors: Takamasa Ina, Yasuhiro Kondo, Keisuke Hirai, Ken Hirabayashi, Ken Higuchi, Masafumi Fukagawa
  • Patent number: 8646118
    Abstract: Cartridge (1) for coupling to a toilet flusher comprising at least one chamber (2) for receiving at least one free-flowing toilet cleaning preparation (6). The chamber (2) has an outlet (4) that lies in the direction of gravitation such that the toilet cleaning preparation can be released from the chamber (2) due to the force of gravity. The outlet (4) is, prior to a first coupling to the toilet flusher, secured prior to the release of the toilet cleaning preparation (6). The preparation is released from the cartridge (1) through the outlet due to the force of gravity when the cartridge (1) is first coupled to the toilet flusher. The chamber (2) has a communicating bar (8), wherein the bar and at least one other chamber (10) are designed so that they interact whereby the chamber (10) can be arranged on or next to the bar (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Ralph Butter-Jentsch, Hans-Georg Muehlhausen
  • Patent number: 8640268
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide an automatic toilet seat, including a base body, a toilet lid, a seat, a controller, a first lid lifter, a second lid lifter, a first sensor, a second sensor and a power supply. The controller comprises a micro processor. When the first sensor detects a human body, the micro processor activates the second sensor and drives the toilet lid pivot to a lifting position. When the first sensor detects the human body again, the seat pivots to the lifting position. When the human body is away from the second sensor, the micro processor would drive the toilet lid and the seat pivot to a closing position and deactivate the second sensor. Thus, the automatic toilet seat of the present invention provides a two-stage mechanism of an auto-lifting toilet lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Shek
  • Patent number: 8615822
    Abstract: An air activated toilet flush system, including: a toilet bowl; a reservoir; a fluid conduit between the reservoir and the toilet bowl; a system for supplying water into the reservoir; and a system for supplying air into the reservoir, wherein a supply of air into the reservoir causes fluid to flow from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and into the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Vargas, Brian Lamb, Tom Stout, Eric Bennett, Tuan Le
  • Patent number: 8613115
    Abstract: A monitoring device and method are provided for monitoring a vacuum toilet, as well as a personal transport vehicle, in particular an aircraft, which uses a monitoring device for vacuum toilets. The monitoring device has a position detector for detecting the position of a toilet lid, a mechanical latching device and a flushing control unit. The latching device is designed to latch the toilet lid in an open position based on the weight of a person acting on a toilet seat. The flushing control unit is further designed to control the flushing operation based on the toilet lid position, and to block the flushing operation upon detection of the toilet lid in the open position. This makes it possible to improve both the comfort and hygienic conditions for the toilet user while using the vacuum toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Seibt, Matthias Mueller
  • Patent number: 8613116
    Abstract: A device for facile deployment of a flexible pool cover, and methods of use, are described. Embodiments of the device and methods of use enable deployment of a pool cover with a leading edge of the pool cover being propelled substantially evenly across a liquid surface of a pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Robyn Wood
  • Patent number: 8584268
    Abstract: A dual flush device is disclosed to provide a full flush for removing solid waste and a water-saving partial flush for removing liquid or light solid waste in a toilet. It includes a first flush handle attached to a shaft to raise a lever to open a flapper valve, and a second flush handle that overlaps the first handle and opens the flapper valve through the first handle. A float assembly is disclosed to be used either with the dual flush device or with the original single flush lever assembly to prematurely close an opened flapper valve and reduce water consumption. Using the original flapper valve in a conventional toilet tank, a dual flush function is achieved by any of the three implementation choices: (1) the dual flush device alone; (2) the dual flush device and a float assembly; and (3) a float assembly alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: James T. Han
  • Patent number: 8572772
    Abstract: An ergonomic water conserving faucet assembly that pivots around a cognitive central point providing touchless water temperature, flow rate, volume control and spray pattern adjustment through multiple, hygienic means. The assembly comprises a pivotable, ergonomic, ball-shaped spout that may be used statically or hand held; a retractable water delivery hose connecting the spout to a water source; a water mixing valve at the water source delivering water of preselected temperature; solenoid valves controlling flow; proximity and object detection sensors mapping the sink area and detecting input signals; speech sensors with microphone for voice control; an LED display of water temperature; internal speakers delivering audible prompts; and an electronic controller recognizing speech and supervising operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventors: James L. Wolf, Stephen O. Gregory
  • Patent number: 8566972
    Abstract: A liquid aroma injector for a spa having a reservoir comprising an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a subchamber, a plunger assembly comprising a plunger button, a shaft, and an annular flanged gasket. The shaft extends through said upper and lower chamber of the reservoir. The liquid aroma injector further comprises a hose through which liquid aroma travels to the liquid aroma diffuser that releases liquid aroma into the water of a spa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Custom Molded Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Thomas Vogtner, Nathan Zahora
  • Patent number: 8561223
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bathtub device including a bathtub 2, a jetting unit 3, a jetting driving unit 4, and a controller 5. The bathtub includes a first bathtub wall surface and a second bathtub wall surface opposed to the first bathtub wall surface. The jetting unit is provided in the second bathtub wall surface and configured to jet a jet flow to a sole of a bather bathing in the bathtub. The jetting driving unit is connected to the jetting unit and configured to adjust jetting flow rate of the jet flow jetted from the jetting unit. The controller is configured to control the jetting driving unit. The controller is configured to control the jetting driving unit to cause the jetting unit to intermittently jet the jet flow with a strength, a leg of the bather being passively bent by the jet flow with the strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Toto Ltd
    Inventors: Minoru Sato, Tomohisa Kato, Masako Fujita, Masayuki Mochita
  • Patent number: 8561225
    Abstract: A multi flush volume flush valve is in communication with an automatic flush control. The flush control determines the presence of a user and the amount of time the user uses the toilet. The usage time is compared to a predetermined time value to determine the appropriate flush volume based on an assumption regarding usage time and flush volume needs. The comparative value statistically adjusts to the restroom traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: John R. Wilson, Peter J. Jahrling
  • Patent number: 8544121
    Abstract: A carrier or support system for a wall mounted toilet for adequately supporting the weight of a user. A first support assembly has a faceplate, spaced-apart pedestals, two washer plates, a fitting member, a coupling, a first fastener for allowing vertical movement between the pedestals and the faceplate, a second fastener for allowing vertical movement between the fitting member and the faceplate, and a first threaded stud arrangement for mounting the toilet to the wall. A second support assembly has a support member, a second threaded stud arrangement, and an anchor foot for supporting the fitting member on the floor. A third support assembly has a frame and a third threaded stud arrangement mounted to the frame for supporting the frame on the floor. The second and/or third support assemblies may be used with the first support assembly for providing adequate support for bariatric or obese users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Majocka, Benjamin Eichler, Doug Wroblewski
  • Patent number: RE44783
    Abstract: Toilet flapper valves with multiple volume flush capability which can be quickly and easily installed to replace existing flapper valves in old or new toilets to give such toilets the capability of providing selectable amounts of flushing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Donald E. Scruggs