Sewer Patents (Class 4/219)
  • Patent number: 11293172
    Abstract: A toilet ventilation system may include a tank configured to fill with water to a threshold level. The system may also include a ventilation manifold having a manifold body, a first cavity defined in the manifold body that opens to an exterior of the manifold body through a first opening, a second cavity defined in the manifold body, where the second cavity is fluidly connected to the first cavity, where the second cavity opens to an exterior of the manifold body through a second opening, and where the second opening is blocked by the water when the tank is filled to the threshold level, and a third cavity defined in the manifold body, where the third cavity is fluidly connected to the second cavity, and where the third cavity opens to an exterior of the manifold body through a third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ECOAIR LLC
    Inventors: Jason John Jones, R. Jay Taylor
  • Patent number: 8984676
    Abstract: An odor eliminating toilet with an air passage and enclosed ventilating fan is disclosed. Odors are removed from the toilet bowl during use by an air passage connecting the toilet bowl with the sewer outflow. The air passage contains a ventilating fan for removing said odors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Yuan Guang Zheng
  • Patent number: 8850628
    Abstract: A pressure release device for preventing pressure build-up in a sink, shower or tub drain includes an elongated tubular member having an elongated passageway extending therethrough. A partially closed top with a plurality of openings therein and an open bottom and means for disposing the device in a drain with an upper portion of the device extending upwardly by at least about 1 cm above an opening to the drain and a bottom of the device extends downwardly in the drain at least 1 and preferably about 2 cm below the opening of the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Hager H. S. A. Faredon
  • Patent number: 8695123
    Abstract: The present disclosure further provides a toilet for exhausting odorous air therefrom, comprising a bowl, a trap, a housing, a self-contained ventilation system, a water tank, and a water supply line. The bowl has a rim therearound wherein the bowl communicates with the rim. The main trap is contained in the bowl wherein the trap is for communicating the contents in the bowl with a drain conduit so as to provide a passageway from the bowl to a drain stack. The ventilation system includes an exhaust blower having a blower inlet and a blower outlet. The blower inlet is in communication with air space between the contents in the bowl and the rim. The blower outlet is in communication with the drain conduit downstream from the trap. The exhaust blower including a cut-off switch for deactivating the exhaust blower during a flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Franklin Lanza
  • Publication number: 20130305441
    Abstract: A sewer vent 1 including structure 3 defining a flow path along which air entering the sewer travels upwardly past a valve element 4. The valve element is configured to sink in air to form a seal to prevent gas escaping from the sewer, and float in water to form a seal to prevent water entering the sewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ORC Technology Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Greg WILLIAMSON, Bernie SIZER
  • Patent number: 8239973
    Abstract: The toilet ventilation apparatus effectively vents unwanted gasses from a toilet room without risk of return. The apparatus provides for installation to an existing toilet bowl with retention of the existing lid. The seat with bottom orifices is provided in a plurality of thicknesses, shapes, and sizes to correctly fit existing toilets. The discharge hose connects to the collar fitting of the drain collar, which is easily connected to a drain such as a sink drain so that in-floor and wall plumbing invasion is not required. The quick connect fitting is disposed between the escape tube exiting the rear of the seat and the suction hose. The quick connect provides that the vacuum pump and related hose are quickly selectively connected and disconnected to any seat of the apparatus installed on an existing toilet bowl, thereby allowing addition and removal of the pump and hoses at a few seconds notice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Davis Character
  • Patent number: 8214930
    Abstract: The present invention's toilet provides a toilet odor removal apparatus The toilet may additionally provide a dual flushing system and/or water overflow prevention system. The odor removal apparatus is operable to withdraw air from a toilet bowl via a suction assembly comprised of a motorized fan to discharge air into a sewer discharge line through a ventilating passage. A valve assembly for controlling the configuration of the system includes a valve controlling means and a solenoid iron plunger. Three main configurations include water flow from the toilet tank to the bowl (flushing), no water flow to the bowl and air flow from the toilet bowl through the fan to the ventilating passage (odor removal), and finally no water flow or air flow (not is use).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Ghasem Azodi
  • Patent number: 7730560
    Abstract: The present invention provides an odorless toilet comprising an adapter ring compressed between a toilet horn and a sewer pipe flange and having a hollow core, an adapter inlet and an exhaust vent; a seat having at least one intake port, a gas cavity and a gas cavity exhaust port; a fan having a fan inlet and a fan exhaust, the fan inlet connected to the gas cavity exhaust port and the fan exhaust connected to the adapter inlet, wherein when the fan is operating, a negative pressure develops in the seat gas cavity, and the odor is pulled into the seat gas cavity through at least one intake port and exhausted from the gas cavity exhaust port to the adapter inlet and then channeled into a sewer pipe through the exhaust vent, wherein the exhaust vent of the adapter ring extends below the sewer pipe flange, wherein the adapter ring has an opening through the center to allow unobstructed passage of waste matter from the toilet horn to a sewer pipe when the toilet is flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Viktor Markaj
  • Patent number: 7685653
    Abstract: Odor extraction system having a fluid tank valve, for extracting malodorous air from a toilet bowl and preventing discharge into the environment, a fan connected to the shaft of an electric motor disposed in a pipe chamber that is located between the free end of a suction piece and an outlet piece, where said suction piece is adapted for connecting to the flush pipe of the toilet bowl and where said outlet piece is joined to the sewer pipe, with said pipe chamber fluid tank valve adapted for airtight closure. The fluid tank valve is part of the pipe chamber, the fluid tank of the fluid tank valve having a suction opening and an outlet opening, with a closing mechanism joined to said suction opening, having a free end at the downstream extremity thereof, with said free end submerging into the fluid in the fluid tank with the free end rising from said fluid under the effect of pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Gyorgy Kovacs
  • Patent number: 7655883
    Abstract: A heated vent cap assembly is provided which can be coupled to a pipe originating from a plumbing system within a building. A heating element is wound around an inner cylinder which is wrapped in a conductive foil and enveloped by a larger diameter outer cylinder which is lined with a reflective foil defining a void there between. The cylinders are secured at an upper end by an end cap and at a lower end by a lower end cap and a tether is tautly secured within the inner cylinder by a bridge in an opening of the end cap and a lower disk engaged with the lower end of the inner cylinder to support ice blocks formed therein. The heating cable generates heat, which is reflected by the reflective foil and absorbed by the conductive foil to prevent ice from forming on the inner surface of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Heat-Line Corporation
    Inventor: Lorne R. Heise
  • Publication number: 20090044321
    Abstract: A venting device configured to attach to a vent and to reduce malodors emitted from a vent includes a first end, a second end, and a center portion. The second end includes two holes into which a barrier is inserted. The second end also includes a protrusion and a ball configured to rest on the protrusion. When a disruption in air pressure occurs within the venting device, the ball moves upward from the protrusion to allow air to exit the device. The barrier prevents the ball from moving upward beyond the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Fred J. Selman, Laura N. Selman
  • Publication number: 20080141445
    Abstract: An inspection chamber has a plastic sleeve as well as a plastic base attached to the sleeve and provided with at least two openings to which a pipe can in each case be attached, which plastic base has a flow profile which extends between the openings, and is made up of at least two separate base parts which, at the edges thereof facing towards each other, are fixedly attached to one another by means of a joining technique, such as gluing, welding and/or pop rivets. The flow profile has a rotational symmetry about a central axis which is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: PIPELIFE NEDERLAND B.V.
    Inventor: Hans Edwards Guitoneau
  • Patent number: 6928666
    Abstract: A ventilation system is self contained on a toilet. The ventilation system has an enlarged vent pipe located in the water tank that communicates with the upper rim ducts of the toilet bowl. The vent pipe extends out of the water tank and reenters the toilet via the drain channel at a location downstream of the water trap. The vent pipe has a float valve in the water tank to prevent the tank from overflowing. A fan in the vent pipe exhausts the air from the toilet bowl; a flapper valve on the vent pipe end acts as a one-way valve preventing the flush from entering the exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Richard C. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 6451548
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of activated TRAP (tartrate-resistant and purple acid phosphatases) for screening for specific inhibitor of TRAP activity useful in the treatment of diseases or degenerative conditions resulting in increased bone resorption, such as tissue damages, bone metabolic disorders, osteoporosis. TRAP can be activated by proteolytic activation of TRAP e.g. by cleaving with a protease, papain-like enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Biovitrum AB
    Inventors: Göran Andersson, Barbro Ek-Rylander, Cornelia Oellig
  • Patent number: 6092549
    Abstract: The drain system in a building is divided in at least two parts, namely a first part (2) arranged to receive drain water contaminated to a relatively high degree from one or a plurality of first units (3), and a second part (10) arranged to receive drain water normally contaminated to a lower degree from one or a plurality of second units (11, 12). The second drain system part (10) comprises at least one drain conduit (13) and at least one unit (11) connected thereto and so constructed that it lacks traps preventing a flow of air therethrough. An apparatus (16) is connected to the drain conduit (13), for generating such a negative pressure in the drain conduit giving rise to an evacuating flow of air from the room in question in the building through the at least one unit (11) and through the drain conduit (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Bertil Eriksson
  • Patent number: 5940894
    Abstract: A sanitizing protector for drainage pipes typically found below a sink, tub and other plumbing fixtures. The protector includes a housing with two connecting tubular ends. A tubular member is coaxially disposed within the housing and mounted at one end to one of the connecting ends. An annular channel is mounted to the internal surface of the cylindrical wall of the housing and the tubular member passes through without being in contact with it. A dispenser pump supplies an anti-bacterial, and optionally including a fragrance, liquid through a conduit that passes through the cylindrical wall to discharge the liquid in the annular channel. As the liquid reaches the rim of the annular channel, it spills over running downwardly along the internal surfaces of the cylindrical wall and pipe, sanitizing them and preventing any growth to proceed upwardly beyond the annular channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Luis Cruz
  • Patent number: 5704074
    Abstract: Apparatus for venting odors from the toilet bowl by using a fan installed on one side of the toilet bowl. The odors are discharged under the toilet in the drain pipe through an appropriate extension ring designed to allow transit of discharged air. Easy installation of the mechanism requires only unbolting the toilet from the floor, placing the extension ring, base extension board and a new wax ring on the drainage flange, rebolting the toilet in place and making the connection to the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Pavel Baldea
  • Patent number: 5645099
    Abstract: A sewer relief valve (40) made out of a durable plastic material comprises: a raised head or float housing (52) that serves as a gripping means during it's removal and installation; said housing (52) has male threads (53) which circumference the lower vertical exterior of said float housing (52); said housing (52) surrounding a central passageway (58) through which a hydrostatic pressure relieving float (54) may pass unobstructed; a cap (50) attached to an upper portion of float (54) effectively sealing said central passageway (58) and cosmetically dressing up said float housing (52) of said sewer relief valve (40) to give it the appearance of a conventional raised head plug (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignees: Dean L. Eaton, Michael Steele
    Inventors: Dean L. Eaton, Michael L. Steele
  • Patent number: 5299326
    Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a vehicle waste tank ventilation exhaust fan, having the unique ability to provided positive exhaust on a continuous basis while diluting the contaminated air and odor being emitted by the waste tank with fresh air at a ratio in excess of five to one. A vacuum is drawn on the tank when the flush valve is closed by a small fan located over the tank vent pipe. A mixing chamber within the fan housing allows the fan to mix fresh air with odor from the tank and expel the odorous mixture over several hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Alton L. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5209257
    Abstract: A vent for relieving pressure in a sewage collection system for buildings characterized by a buoyant float-closure which will easily open in response to fluid pressure to permit escape of gas or liquid from the system upon the build-up in the system of minimum pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure. The float closure is mounted in a threaded plug which is adapted to replace the conventional clean-out plug on the exterior of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Clarence E. Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4962548
    Abstract: A plumbing arrangement is described for a toilet pan connected to a waste disposal pipe. The waste pipe has an extension extending a short height above the flood level of the water trap. The upper end of the extension is closed off by a two way differential valve opening to the atmosphere. A cover is provided to permit the air flow to and from the valve but still to prevent the ingress of leaves or dirt which could have a detrimental effect upon the working of the valve. A number of embodiments of valve means are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: G.I. Marketing CC
    Inventors: Ivor G. van Deventer, Gerrit R. C. di Somma
  • Patent number: 4850059
    Abstract: A waste sewage system for a building constructed to prevent sewage from backing up within the building. A valve is connected to an end of a clean-out conduit line of a waste sewage system for normally closing the same and openable in response to sewage effluent backing up within the clean-out conduit line. The valve comprises a tubular body portion having one end connectable to the end of a clean-out conduit line, a cover pivotally mounted on the body portion and normally closing the other end of the body portion, and sealing means carried by the body portion and cooperating with the cover to minimize escapement of noxious sewer gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Jim Dickerson Plumbing, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 4524262
    Abstract: A plastic sewer vent line extending through the roof of a building is provided with a defroster for preventing blockage of the vent line by freezing and the consequent back-up sewage gas into the building. The defroster is located above the roof and includes a metal pipe, e.g., of copper, having its bottom end coupled to the plastic sewer vent line and provided with an electric heating coil in contact with a portion of the exterior thereof. An outer shell is spaced outwardly from and surrounds the exterior of the pipe and has a top sealed to the pipe top and a bottom sealed to the roof to provide an annular providing an insulating effect and enhancing the effectiveness of the heating element. A heat limiting switch is provided to prevent overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Inventor: Cyril G. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4222189
    Abstract: A medallion is composed of a front mirror surface portion, back surface portion and bottom surface portion, and a wreath type decoration portion such as olive leaves is formed in projected mode at the peripheral edge of the medallion, and a wall thickness of the mirror surface portion wherein a pattern such as face image or bust image of human being is formed by embossing or carving in the space surrounded by the decoration portion and the back surface portion formed almost perpendicularly to the mirror surface portion is so formed that the thickness is gradually heavier from the top part toward the bottom part, and a seat portion having a horizontal surface whose width is about 30-40% of the maximum width of the front surface portion of the medallion is formed at the bottom surface portion, and the mirror surface portion is formed in slightly inclined surface toward the rear part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Inventor: Tomiro Kamei
  • Patent number: 4129906
    Abstract: A normally closed sewage venting system comprising at least one or more plumbing fixtures having associated traps and drain lines that empty into a main drain that is connected to a sewer main. The main drain is normally directly vented to atmosphere by a plumbing vent. In accordance with the present invention each plumbing vent is capped off with a breather valve. The breather valve is a slit diaphragm valve that readily permits air to enter the system, to prevent syphoning from the traps, and prevents the escape of gases from the system except under predetermined excessive pressure conditions. Therefore, the gases previously emitted to the atmosphere are now drawn, with the drainage, into the sewer main. The sewer main may be subjected to a slight negative pressure which draws the sewer gases off and into a gas separation and storage facility where the noxious gases can be neutralized and the burnable gases processed and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1973
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Inventor: Jack G. Ohringer