Patents Examined by Karen Younkins
  • Patent number: 7832024
    Abstract: A system capable of generating foam in a sanitary appliance includes a dosing device previously filled with a foaming substance, the dosing device metering a dosage of the substance, an agitation mechanism to agitate the substance to create foam, a receptacle to retain the substance for communication with the agitation mechanism, a fluid supply to allow fluid transport of the substance to the receptacle, and a trigger for activating the fluid supply. A dosing device of this system is further provided, including a container filled with a foaming substance, a positioner to position and house the container, the positioner further including a pin capable of creating a bottom aperture of the container, a fluid supply, wherein the outlet of the fluid supply is directed at the aperture on the bottom end of the container. A container is also provided that can be used in the dosing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Meng Chow
  • Patent number: 7832027
    Abstract: A flexible sink strainer having a cupped body completely comprised of a flexible material including a plurality of apertures to allow fluid to pass therethrough, wherein the body is capable of attaining first and second configurations, the first configuration being suitable for capturing material entrained within fluid as it passes through the apertures and the second configuration being suitable for removing material captured on the body as fluid passes through the apertures, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Juan Escobar, Troy Phipps, John Kiechel, Paul Katz
  • Patent number: 7832025
    Abstract: A dispenser for releasing a treatment composition into the bowl of a toilet, and a fragrance into the surrounding room, comprises a solid block of a treatment composition in a housing. A block of gel material impregnated with the fragrance fills an opening in a front wall of the housing and is exposed to the housing interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Jeyes Group Limited
    Inventors: Peter Virica, Neil Papworth, Brian Wilson
  • Patent number: 7823227
    Abstract: A bathroom odor removal apparatus comprising: a housing; a filter in the housing; a blower fan located in the housing; a water skirt, with a side opening, and the skirt with an open bottom, and extending from a second end of the housing; a stabilizer adaptor unit attached to the edges of the side opening; clip located on an interior surface of a top wall; a removable conduit attached to the clip; an adapter removeably coupled to a refill tube, to a first end of the removable conduit, and to a top panel; an overflow pipe adapter attached to one end of the conduit; pairs of grooves, with one groove from each pair located on a first side wall, and the second groove from each pair located on a second side wall; and the adjustable stabilizer adaptor attaches to the skirt via any pair of grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph Damianoe, Joseph Spadola, Vladimir Yakhnich
  • Patent number: 7818823
    Abstract: A combination urinal/toilet flusher and grabber assembly includes a first resilient U-shaped main body having spaced apart side walls connected by a top wall such that an object can be grasped by compression of outer surfaces of the side walls toward each other. A first hollow member extends from one end of the main body for receiving a urinal/toilet flusher handle. A first tongue extends from an opposite end of the main body and has an opening for receiving a flusher handle. An inner member includes a second resilient main body having spaced apart wings connected together by a top wall, and a second hollow member extending from one end thereof and removably fit within the first hollow member for receiving a flusher handle such that the wings can grasp an object when the side walls are compressed toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Clarence Thomas
  • Patent number: 7818826
    Abstract: A laminar flow jet is disclosed that provides a non-turbulent smooth stream of water. The jet is structured to remove turbulence from the moving water. As the water flows through the jet, a screen component and a nozzle component cooperate to slow the water flow and provide a uniform flow direction. The jet is also structured so that the laminar stream may be lighted from within the jet. The body of the jet is designed to receive an elongated and transparent probe carrying a lighting apparatus such as a fiber optic cable. The laminar flow jet is designed to be mounted to a structure such as a spa, pool or tub wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: B & S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Schmidt, Francisco Hinojosa, Jr., Jose Cervantes
  • Patent number: 7810178
    Abstract: The dual toilet tank system is toilet flushing system that efficiently uses the water in the tank depending on the waste being flushed. The tank body has a divider separating the tank into two compartments, one compartment has a smaller volume than the other; a flushing valve assembly with two flapper valves, one flapper valve disposed vertically higher than the other with each disposed in respective compartments; and independently operated actuators that flush the water in respective compartments or all of the tank. The smaller volume compartment is mostly used for liquid wastes while the larger volume compartment is used for solid wastes. For larger loads, both compartments are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: George J. Wajda
  • Patent number: 7805779
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for tensioning a safety net on a swimming pool. In one aspect, a tension apparatus for use with a pool net is provided. The apparatus includes a housing and a selectively engagable gear arrangement disposed in the housing. The apparatus further includes a rotatable member for supplying rotational energy to the gear arrangement and a spool member operatively attached to the gear arrangement. Additionally, the apparatus includes a cable at least partially wrapped around the spool member, wherein the cable includes a connector configured to connect to the pool net. In another aspect, a method for tensioning a pool net is provided. In yet another aspect, an apparatus for use in tensioning a net is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Katchakid Inc.
    Inventor: Blair Robert Esson
  • Patent number: 7802327
    Abstract: A portable and compact children's training sink is provided with a main housing having a basin, a drain hole disposed in the basin, and a back splash panel substantially adjacent to, behind, and projecting above the basin. Support legs support the main housing, including at least one front support leg and at least one rear support leg. The front and rear support legs are spaced apart to accommodate and placed over or outside of a household bathtub or shower stall. A reservoir is preferably removably disposed in the back splash panel, and a spigot is in fluid communication with the reservoir and extends over and empties into the basin. When the rear support leg is placed inside a bathtub or shower and the front support leg is placed outside the shower, fluid entering the basin by gravity from the reservoir and through the openable spigot exits via the drain hole and empties into the bathtub or shower or a waste water receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventors: Judith Moceri, Michael Moceri
  • Patent number: 7793363
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to assure that the lid of a toilet is always in the down position when the toilet is flushed. This will prevent the toilet lid being left in an open position. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for connecting the toilet lid to the flushing mechanism of a toilet so that the toilet lid must be in the down position for the toilet to be flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Donald L. Meike
  • Patent number: 7784117
    Abstract: A vacuum relief safety valve includes a housing defining an inner chamber and attached to the suction-side of the swimming pool or spa pump. An air inlet aperture is formed in the housing so as to be open to ambient air. A sealing element is disposed within the housing and biased against the air inlet aperture by a spring so as to effectively seal the inner chamber of the housing from ambient air. When a maximum allowed vacuum level within the pump is exceeded, such as when a swimming pool drain is obstructed, the sealing element moves into the inner chamber and opens the air inlet aperture causing the pump to rapidly lose its prime and enabling removal of the entrapment. Simultaneously, the movement of the sealing element provides electricity to a control circuit which shuts off power to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Hassan H. Hamza
  • Patent number: 7770241
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sewer system including a sewage receptacle, sewer piping connected to the sewage receptacle by means of a discharge valve, a mechanism for generating vacuum in the sewer piping, and a control mechanism for controlling the discharge valve. In order to achieve a more rapid closing of the discharge valve after discharge of the sewage from the sewage receptacle, the vacuum sewer system further comprises an aeration device in direct fluid communication with the discharge valve. The control mechanism is arranged to control the aeration device. Also disclosed is a discharge valve (2) for such a vacuum sewer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Evac International Oy
    Inventors: Vesa Lappalainen, Gunnar Lindroos, Kaj Ronnblad
  • 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: 7721358
    Abstract: Described is a single function or multi-function device for attachment to the tank of a toilet fixture. The device provides a diffusible air-treatment concentrate for deodorizing or otherwise treating the ambient air surrounding the toilet. At the same time, the multi-function device provides a water-soluble water-treatment concentrate for treating the flush water stored in the toilet tank. The device can have an air moving part with a delay value to increase fragrance delivery. The device can have an air treatment part with a reservoir having fragrance containing particles. The reservoir can have an attachment means so that it can be replaced when the fragrance is used up. The device can deliver a burst of fragranced air during a toilet flush cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Esther Park, James P. Siacunco, Grant Templin, Cherie A. Bulala, Russell E. Bell
  • Patent number: 7712160
    Abstract: A zipper system for a safety swimming pool cover provides a convenient method of navigating around any vertical obstacles that may be within the pool cover area, when installing the pool cover over the pool. When a vertically extending obstacle, such as an entrance stair hand rail extends above the surface of a swimming pool cover, the swimming pool cover is split in the area of the obstacle, the zipper enables the user to securely navigate around the obstacle without compromising the tight fit of the swimming pool cover. The zipper closes the split area around the obstacle quickly and neatly. The zipper also prevents the entrance of debris into the pool around the split area. The zipper alternatively provides access to a selected area of the pool, such as a spa area. The spa area, when not in use, can be zipped and covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Pool Cover Corp.
    Inventor: LeeAnn Pesta
  • Patent number: 7707662
    Abstract: A cover for a swimming pool includes a flexible sheet of material covering substantially all of an opening into the swimming pool. A split extends within the cover. Zipper elements line edges of the cover along the split to close the split, thereby preventing debris from entering the swimming pool through the split. A locking plate member covers top and bottom sides of the zipper to secure the zipper during the off-season. The locking member includes spaced apart upper and lower plates, forming a slot therebetween, whereby the slot provides clearance for fabric edges of the zipper. A bridge section joins the plates adjacent to a rear side of the locking plate member. A recess is formed in facing surfaces of the lower and upper plates between the bridge section and a front side of the locking plate member, to accommodate the zipper elements therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Pool-Cover Corp.
    Inventor: LeeAnn Pesta
  • Patent number: 7707665
    Abstract: A shower water conservation apparatus (10) that conserves the shower water by storing the initially cooled water that is produced by a hot water source (124). The initially cooled water is routed by a series of pipes and timed valves into a water reservoir assembly (19), such as a bellows (20), where the water is stored for later use. The cooled water from the bellows (20) is timely released and mixed with flow of cold water from a cold water source (126). The mixed cold water is further mixed with the now hot water from the hot water source (124) before the mixed hot and cold water is manually regulated and applied through a shower head (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Kwangill Hong
  • Patent number: 7694357
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety bar for a bathtub to help prevent children from falling into a tub. The bar can be moved from a lower position to an upper position to form a barrier to keep children out of a tub. Alternatively, the device when it is in its extended position can be used to provide an additional support for a user when sitting in a tub, so that the user does not slide in the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Joanne Alvite
  • Patent number: 7673352
    Abstract: A flush mechanism for a water closet include a housing fixable to a toilet flush tank outlet and a float body removable within the housing for controlling water discharge through the tank outlet. A hydraulic assist valve is disposed within the float body and moveable therein for causing upward opening movement of the float body in order to reduce exterior operational force required to operate the float body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Patent number: 7650651
    Abstract: A drain closure with clearing tool that incorporates a drain basket having internal cross members which intersect to carry a slide shaft movably mounting a closure assembly. The closure assembly includes one or more clearing tools that project into the drain basket. The clearing tool may include optional blades that coact with the internal cross members to shred hair and soap particles captured in the drain basket. The cleaning tool may also include optional grip elements that extend into the drain to capture hair and debris to prevent accumulation in the drain basket and underlying plumbing. In the latter modification, clogs and blockages may be prevented if the drain closure is periodically removed to withdraw such captured debris from the drain basket and the underlying plumbing. After such debris is released from the grip elements, the drain closure and grip elements are reinserted into the drain basket for continued operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: Michael C. Lohnert