Flush Closet Patents (Class 4/300)
  • Patent number: 11952763
    Abstract: A toilet overflow prevention assembly for capturing overflowing water from a toilet includes a collar that is comprised of a flexible material. The collar can be positionable around a bowl of a toilet thereby facilitating the collar to capture water overflowing from the bowl. Additionally, the collar is comprised of a fluid impermeable material to inhibit the water from passing therethrough. A drain is integrated into the collar to drain the water outwardly therefrom. A closure is hingedly coupled to the collar and the closure is positionable in a locked position when the collar is positioned in the closed position for retaining the collar in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Hannah
  • Patent number: 11927588
    Abstract: An intelligent toilet that includes a toilet base having a bowl, a seat assembly comprising a seat, and a urine collection system integrated with the seat assembly, wherein the urine collection system includes an analyzer that is configured to test urine from a user and provide output health data of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Luncheak Tan, Chinghua Chen
  • Patent number: 11927006
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pushing force converting device including a cylinder barrel. The cylinder barrel includes an air cavity; a mounting cavity; and an air cavity vent in communication with the air cavity. The pushing force converting device also includes a piston configured to slide back and forth in the cylinder barrel and slidably disposed in the mounting cavity; a transmission bar connected with the piston and configured to drive the piston to move toward the air cavity; a restoring member disposed in the cylinder barrel and configured to drive the piston or the transmission bar to be restored to a respective initial position; and a sealing ring disposed on the piston and configured to seal the air cavity. The pushing force converting device disclosed by the present disclosure can convert mechanical pushing force into air pressure pushing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Congxian Huang, Youpeng Chen
  • Patent number: 11622658
    Abstract: A telescoping toilet system includes a toilet assembly having a toilet bowl and a toilet tank disposed in fluid communication therewith. A telescoping tube assembly has a telescoping tube mounted to a portion of the toilet bowl which is disposable between a retracted orientation and at least one extended orientation. While disposed in an extended orientation, the telescoping tube minimizes spraying and splashing of urine and/or water onto surrounding surfaces while a user is urinating therein. The telescoping toilet system also includes a tube casing assembly dimensioned to receive the telescoping tube assembly therein while the telescoping tube is disposed in a retracted orientation; and a tube actuator assembly is provided and is operable to dispose the telescoping tube between a retracted orientation and at least one extended orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Olga Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11622067
    Abstract: A camera system that includes a camera having a main body having a front surface and a back surface; a lens disposed within the main body and configured to view objects in front of the front surface; a magnet coupled to the back surface, wherein the magnet is configured to removably couple the camera to a ferromagnetic material; a shutter adjustably coupled to the main body, so that the shutter is moveable relative to the lens between a closed position and an open position; and a controller disposed within the main body and configured to control operation of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Luncheak Tan, Chinghua Chen
  • Patent number: 11536015
    Abstract: A separating toilet including a pan having a pipe section, which is connected in the outflow region and has vertical side walls at least in certain portions, and having a main discharge line connected downstream of the pipe section. An odor trap is provided between the pipe section and the main discharge line. At least one separate auxiliary discharge line for separating urine is provided. The inlet opening of the auxiliary discharge line is arranged on a side of the vertical side wall of the pipe section and thus below the pan and above the odor trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: EOOS DESIGN GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Bergmann, Gernot Bohmann, Harald Gruendl
  • Patent number: 11536712
    Abstract: An intelligent toilet that includes a toilet base having a bowl, a seat assembly comprising a seat, and a urine collection system integrated with the seat assembly, wherein the urine collection system includes an analyzer that is configured to test urine from a user and provide output health data of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Luncheak Tan, Chinghua Chen
  • Patent number: 11457780
    Abstract: A rear-facing toilet is a toilet having a seat which is positioned such that a user faces the tank when sitting. The toilet further has leg lifting portions which assist in elevating the knees of a user on the toilet. The top of the tank may serve as a worktable or storage tray. Footrests and foot ramps are provided about the base of the toilet permitting a user to rest his or her feet while the toilet is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: Steve Wright
  • Patent number: 11391031
    Abstract: Method of controlling a vacuum waste system, which comprises a number of sources of waste (9), vacuum sewer piping (7) including at least a branch pipe (71) and at least a main pipe line (72), a discharge valve (8) having an inlet end connected to a source of waste and an outlet end provided with a given type of connection to the vacuum sewer piping, and a vacuum unit (11) connected to the vacuum sewer piping. Vacuum is generated in the vacuum sewer piping by the vacuum unit and a discharge sequence for discharging waste from the source of waste into the vacuum sewer piping is activated by a discharge sequence activating means (20), whereby the discharge sequence is set for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: EVAC OY
    Inventor: Vesa Lappalainen
  • Patent number: 11332916
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a bowl part and a water storage part. The bowl part receives waste. The water storage part is formed on a bottom of the bowl part and stores a stored water. The water storage part includes a front surface part, a back surface part that is formed on a back side of the front surface part, and a pair of side surface parts that are formed between the front surface part and the back surface part. On at least one side surface part in the pair of side surface parts, a convex surface that protrudes toward another side surface part is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakamura, Shinichi Urata, Hiroshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11319701
    Abstract: A self-cleaning toilet has a lower cup-shaped body delimiting an emptying opening connected to a draining pipe, and a filling opening, opposite to the emptying opening and facing a user of the self-cleaning toilet. The lower cup-shaped body has at least one side wall delimiting, with an upper edge thereof, at least one portion of the filling opening, and delimiting at least partially a gap interposed between an inner surface and an outer surface, the gap forming, with the at least one side wall a first basin adapted to contain a volume of fluid. The first basin leads to both the inner surface and the outer surface and is connected to a fluid supply duct adapted to convey a volume of cleaning fluid into the first basin so that when the cleaning fluid received in the first basin overflows, it cleans both the inner and outer surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: DESPE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Panseri
  • Patent number: 11304573
    Abstract: A connection device for connecting a sanitary article to a connection structure which is fixedly predefined on site and which has at least one conduit which is arranged in a positionally fixed manner on site. The device comprises a bearing element having at least one bearing-side pipeline portion, which pipeline portion is arranged on the bearing element and is configured for water-conducting connection to the positionally fixedly arranged on-site conduit and for water-conducting connection to a sanitary-article-side connection point. For the adjustment of the position, in particular of the height position, of the sanitary article with respect to the connection structure which is fixedly predefined on site, the bearing element is arranged displaceable on the sanitary article such that it can be displaced along an adjustment movement relative to the sanitary article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GEBERIT INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Alois Diethelm, Martin Niederberger, Juanes Braulio, Rolf Weiss, Maurus Zwicker
  • Patent number: 11230832
    Abstract: A tankless toilet system includes a tankless toilet and a sensor. The tankless toilet is configured to receive water from a water source. The tankless toilet includes a bowl, a first supply conduit, a rim jet, a sump, a second supply conduit, and a sump. The first supply conduit is configured to receive the water from the water source. The rim jet is fluidly coupled to the first supply conduit and configured to provide the water to the bowl. The sump is configured to receive the water from the bowl. The second supply conduit is configured to receive the water from the water source separate from the first supply conduit. The sump jet is fluidly coupled to the second supply conduit and configured to provide the water to the sump. The sensor is coupled to the tankless toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Michael J. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 11193266
    Abstract: A flush toilet is provided with a toilet main unit and a functional unit. The toilet main unit has a toilet bowl and an upper surface portion on which a recessed portion is formed. The functional unit is provided on the rear side of the toilet bowl and offers a function different from a function for washing the toilet bowl. The functional unit is able to move between an entering position where at least a portion of the functional unit is located inside the recessed portion and a retreating position where the entire functional unit is located outside the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
    Inventors: Akiya Saeki, Hiroaki Watanabe, Tomoya Sasaki, Ryuichi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 11072919
    Abstract: An automatic flushing squatting toilet includes a toilet body and a water tank. Flushing mechanisms are disposed inside the toilet body. The flushing mechanisms include installing grooves disposed on an upper wall of the toilet body. An inner wall of each installing groove close to an upper end of each installing groove is fixedly connected with a respective flexible plate. Each installing groove is fixedly connected with a respective piezoelectric plate. A lower wall of each flexible plate is fixedly connected with a respective pressing block. Each pressing block contacts a corresponding piezoelectric plate. Water sucking cavities are disposed inside the toilet body. Each water sucking cavity is fixedly connected with a metal plate. Each water sucking cavity is elastically connected with a respective electromagnetic plate through a respective return spring. Each electromagnetic plate is slidably connected with each water sucking cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: NOZO GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ke Xiao, Xue Li
  • Patent number: 10947705
    Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to a method for recycling water in a water recycling device, the method comprising: receiving used water via a drain; determining a water quality measure of the used water; if the water; quality measure of the water is above a first quality threshold, feeding the used water to a valve arrangement; in the valve arrangement, forming water to be treated by providing external water, the used water or a combination of the external water and the used water; generating treated water by treating the water to be treated using a water treatment arrangement; and feeding the treated water to an outlet. The present inventive concept also relates to a water recycling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: ORBITAL SYSTEMS AB
    Inventors: Michael Ridell, Richard Boden
  • Patent number: 10633833
    Abstract: A water conservation system for use in a building comprises a water supply pipe, water-consuming equipment, a water-consuming equipment outlet pipe, an intermediate water inlet pipe, an intermediate water collection pipe, an intermediate water outlet pipe, an intermediate water outlet valve, an intermediate water overflow pipe, and a sewage pipe. The intermediate water collection pipe is installed in the building, and a water inlet and outlet of the intermediate water collection pipe is pre-arranged at every floor. The intermediate water outlet pipe and the intermediate water inlet pipe communicates with the water inlets and outlets of the intermediate water collection pipe, respectively. The intermediate water outlet pipe communicates with a toilet water tank. A first check valve is disposed on the intermediate water inlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Sizhe Chen
  • Patent number: 10575685
    Abstract: A bathroom module is disclosed. The bathroom module comprises a shower area, a toilet area, a grooming area, and plumbing inlet lines. The shower area comprises a shower head, a control valve assembly, and a drain. The toilet area comprises a toilet assembly. The toilet area and the shower area are separated from each other by a first wall. The grooming area comprises a sink assembly that comprises a faucet. The grooming area is separated from the shower area and the toilet area by a second wall. The second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall. Plumbing inlet lines are disposed within the first wall and the second wall and configured to supply water to the control valve assembly, the shower head, the toilet assembly, and the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
  • Patent number: 10527191
    Abstract: A system for monitoring flush valves is provided, including a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom of a building, each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves including a communication device configured to transmit flush valve data, and at least one controller in communication with each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to receive the flush valve data from each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves and determine if a first flush valve of the plurality of flush valves is in need of servicing or replacement based at least partially by comparing flush valve data for the first flush with flush valve data for at least one other flush valve of the plurality of flush valves. A method and apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Andersen, Christopher R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 10517460
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for disinfecting and cleaning parts of persons, animals and objects which includes a plurality of sheets and a plurality of substrate layers. Each substrate layer is disposed between two sheets. Each sheet includes an adhesive layer and an antibacterial layer. A tab is arranged on each sheet. The invention can remove the dirt from a foot or paw as well as gently disinfect the foot or paw. Dirt, lint, hair, dust, and germs can be removed from the foot or paw using a gentle, antibacterial, sticky sheet on which the individual steps on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Tony Mireles
  • Patent number: 10501922
    Abstract: A sanitary washing device including: a nozzle discharging water toward a human body private part; a water guide part including a pipe line reaching from a water supply source to the nozzle, and guiding water supplied from the water supply source to the nozzle; a vacuum breaker provided on a path of the water guide part, and taking air into the pipe line when water does not flow in the water guide part; and an ultraviolet irradiation part provided between the vacuum breaker and the nozzle on the path of the water guide part, and including a flow channel flowing water and a light emitting part irradiating ultraviolet rays to the water flowing in the flow channel is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinari Yaoka, Yoichi Murase, Hiroaki Amemori
  • Patent number: 10435878
    Abstract: A flush toilet is provided with a toilet main unit and a functional unit. The toilet main unit has a toilet bowl and an upper surface portion on which a recessed portion is formed. The functional unit is provided on the rear side of the toilet bowl and offers a function different from a function for washing the toilet bowl. The functional unit is able to move between an entering position where at least a portion of the functional unit is located inside the recessed portion and a retreating position where the entire functional unit is located outside the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
    Inventors: Akiya Saeki, Hiroaki Watanabe, Tomoya Sasaki, Ryuichi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 10378676
    Abstract: A system for optimizing a timing of a flush valve is provided. The system includes a flush valve comprising a flow area and a solenoid configured to open the flush valve, at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the flush valve, and at least one controller in communication with the at least one pressure sensor and the solenoid. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the solenoid to open the flush valve for a flush time in response to a flush request, measure a pressure in the flush valve to obtain at least one flush valve pressure, adjust the flush time based at least partially on the at least one flush valve pressure, resulting in an adjusted flush time, and control the solenoid to open the flush valve for the adjusted flush time in response to a flush request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Andersen, Christopher R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 10329756
    Abstract: A leak-proof toilet tank, includes a toilet tank, a water-supply valve, a float cup, a float and a sealed drain device; wherein, the float cup has a sealed bottom. When the water supply is filled to the toilet tank, the water level raises up to make the float blocking the water supply. When leaks water leakage, the float cup does not leak water because of the sealed bottom, and the water level is not changed, further maintains the float to the predetermined position. The present disclosure further provides a passway for supplying water to the float cup. Even if water leakage happens, the float can be pushed to block the water supply by filling the water in the sub-tank into the float cup or by supplying water directly by the water supply pipe, so that reaching the effect of leak-proof of the toilet tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Wun-Chou Li
  • Patent number: 10294649
    Abstract: A urinal anti-splash device including an anti-splash body sized and shaped to couple to at least a portion of a urinal. The anti-splash body may include a first portion, a second portion opposite the first portion, a longitudinal length extending from the first portion to the second portion, and an front surface extending the longitudinal length. The urinal anti-splash device also includes a base coupled to the first portion and configured to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from the first portion. The urinal anti-splash device further includes a first plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the front surface of the anti-splash body and a second plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the base, the second plurality of protrusions configured to extend in the direction substantially perpendicular from the first portion of the anti-splash body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Crevier
  • Patent number: 10273672
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a toilet main unit, a reservoir tank, and a connecting pipe member configured to connect the toilet main unit and the reservoir tank in a watertight manner after the connecting pipe member is inserted into the reservoir tank so that the reservoir tank is assembled to a predetermined installation position. The connecting pipe member includes a communicating pipe portion configured to communicate between the conduit of the toilet main unit and an interior of the tank when one end of the connecting member is inserted from the interior of the tank through the outlet of the tank into the inlet of the conduit of the toilet main unit. A horizontal adjustment portion configured to adjust the orientation of the reservoir tank to a horizontal state is provided on the toilet main unit or on the reservoir tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsunari Harashima, Ryoko Ishimaru, Kenichi Nakamura, Shoko Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 10233623
    Abstract: An automatic leak-proof water inlet device for a water tank, including an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder set, a floating casing and an assist floating set; wherein the outer cylinder set is consisted of an outer cylinder, a cover, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, an adjusting rod, an interlocking rod, an insert, a water stopper, a first spring and a second spring; the assist floating set includes a supporting seat and a float; by the above structure, it could stop water leakage of water tank automatically and close water inlet in time, to thereby avoid the waste of water resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: THE KEENEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: So-Mei Huang, Ted Gruska
  • Patent number: 10119262
    Abstract: A platform for supporting a toilet bowl, and more preferably a height adjustable platform for supporting a toilet bowl is disclosed. The platform comprises principally of a planar base member for engaging a ground surface, a planar top member for attachment to a toilet bowl, and a plurality of support members extending between the base member and the top member, the support member being configured to support the top member at a distance from the base member and adapted to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the base member and the top member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dignity LC Services Ltd
    Inventor: Darren Michael Prior
  • Patent number: 9995029
    Abstract: To provide a flush toilet in which: a circulating flow can be formed to uniformly circulate over a waste receiving surface while flushing; localized changes in external appearance of a toilet main body can be inhibited; and impression of a left-right symmetrical external shape can be conveyed to users so that design characteristics thereof are favorably preserved. A rim portion in a flush toilet includes a slit opening portion formed between an upper edge portion of the waste receiving surface formed to be left-right asymmetrical and a rim inside wall formed to be left-right symmetrical. The slit opening portion is formed such that a slit gap on one side, to which a connecting water conduit is directed, is smaller than a slit gap on the other side. A circulating flow is formed on the waste-receiving surface by flush water spouted from the slit opening portion having the different slit gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Naoto Matsuo, Eiji Shiohara, Masaki Kitamura, Masaaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 9732504
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling the flow of water from a fill valve in a toilet tank to a toilet bowl of a toilet using a bowl fill valve are provided. An inlet of the bowl fill valve is coupled to a bowl fill outlet of the fill valve and the outlet of the bowl fill valve is channeled to the toilet bowl. In illustrative embodiment, a method is provided comprising the steps of determining when the toilet tank has been substantially drained of water during a flush cycle, and opening the bowl fill valve for a predefined period of time after the toilet tank has been substantially drained of water to fill the toilet bowl of the toilet with water. The predefined period of time is less than a total time of the flush cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: DANCO, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Michael J. D'Aurelio
  • Patent number: 9517946
    Abstract: A water reclamation system includes a drainage lane overlaying a downward graded area of land and configured to receive water run-off from the land. At least one collection ditch coupled to the at least one drainage lane is configured to receive water from the drainage lane. At least one collection pipe housed is within and extends outwardly from the at least one collection ditch. A first container is coupled to the at least one collection pipe and configured to receive water from the at least one collection pipe. Housed within the first container is at least one water purifying filter and a pump configured to evacuate at least a portion of water within the container to a destination. A second container is in communication with the first container and is configured to: subject water received from the first container to a purification process; and store the purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Catherine G. Lin-Hendel
  • Patent number: 9474360
    Abstract: The liquid-dispensing shaving brush includes a number of embodiments that provide for dispensing water from the head of the brush and through the fibers or bristles of the brush. Some embodiments provide for connection to a water tap, and a hand control on the brush or a remote foot control providing for control of water flow. Other embodiments provide a portable container for water, permitting use when a source of running water is not available. The portable container may be pressurized, and flow may be controlled either by the hand-operated valve on the brush handle, or by a remote foot control. Still other embodiments are self-contained, with a liquid supply contained within the handle. All embodiments may include a hollow brush handle volume for containment of liquefied shaving soap or cream therein, and an openable brush head or cap providing access for refilling the brush handle volume as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Saleh Alsalameh
  • Patent number: 9273455
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing a seal for a closet collar. A sealing assembly is positioned on a closet collar for a drain pipe. The sealing assembly may comprise a portion on which a sealing component is positioned. A toilet is positioned over the sealing assembly. The sealing assembly is compressed between the toilet and the closet collar, and a seal for the closet collar is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 9021622
    Abstract: There is provided a flush toilet device capable of being configured in a compact size and supplying a sufficient flow amount of water to a toilet to reliably flush and discharge waste. According to the flush toilet device, a straight pipe portion of a throat which is arranged inside a tank is arranged in a state where a center axis thereof inclines with respect to a front-back direction of the tank when viewed from an upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kitaura, Ryoko Ishimaru, Tomohiro Iwabata, Yoshiki Ota, Takashi Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20150096118
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented. An apparatus comprises a wall and a urinal. The wall is physically associated with a fuselage for an aircraft. The urinal is positioned along the wall, the wall and urinal positioned within a specialty lavatory area module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Darren Carl McIntosh
  • Patent number: 8978172
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture, such as a bidet or toilet, includes a frontal basin and a supply of water for cleaning the basin. The plumbing fixture includes a modular housing mountable behind the basin and at least one control positioned in the modular housing to control operation of the plumbing fixture. The control may be light controls, bidet wand position controls, bidet wand heated air supply controls, bidet wand water supply controls, lid position movement controls, seat position movement controls, deodorizer controls, audio device controls and ultra violet sanitizer controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Peter W. Denzin, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Publication number: 20140373263
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a basin, a plumbing system configured to supply water to the basin, a processing circuit, and a housing containing the plumbing system and the processing circuit. The housing includes ports on the second face allowing access to a digital audio input, the plumbing fixture configured to output audio via a speaker based on the digital audio input. The plumbing fixture further includes a remote control configured to control the plumbing fixture and further configured to customize selectable audio sources for playback via the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Michael R. Bates, Fei Shen, Xue Jiongjun, Andy Zhu, Michael Cao, Li Ni
  • Publication number: 20140359934
    Abstract: A toilet module for a vehicle is provided. The toilet module comprises a housing having a front wall, a first functional wall and at least one second functional wall, which enclose a floor surface on the underside of the housing, and a toilet unit. The front wall comprises an access opening. The first functional wall is arranged opposite the front wall and accommodates the toilet unit. The at least one second functional wall extends between the first functional wall and the front wall and is perpendicular to the front wall. The toilet unit has a longitudinal extension axis which forms an angle which is greater than 0° with the at least one second functional wall. In this way, a particularly narrow and compact toilet module can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Ralf SCHLIWA, Volker LUDERER, Florian SCHUEPHAUS, Roland LANGE, Michael ECKERT
  • Publication number: 20140333189
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a realistic granite or other pattern on a substrate, such as a sink, bath, or piece of furniture. The apparatus and method may use gelcoat to create a regular or irregular pattern. The apparatus may use pressurized air or gear pumps to pump paint from tanks to a spraying device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Abraham Tanus
  • Publication number: 20140259347
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a lock assembly to lock a flush valve system, the handle lock assembly configured for placement on a flushing valve handle of a urinal or toilet comprising a top component and a bottom component comprising first and second arm sections and a center support section situated there between, each arm section pivotally connected to the first end of the top component. The arm sections also comprise a locking element for releasably locking with a mating locking element on the top component. A major advantage of the methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein is the savings in water that can be achieved without having to replace the current water-based urinal with a no-water urinal or expensive urinal with automatic flushing devices that control flushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: XELA INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Todd J. Muderlak, Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: 8813274
    Abstract: A toilet multi flushing device consisting of an enclosed tank (3) filled with compressible plastic sheets (6). The tank (3) has a direct connection (1) to water supply at the bottom, an outlet at the bottom of the tank (3) with an external ball valve used as a flushing valve (10). When the valve (10) is opened the water is ejected at high speed to clear the bowl. It could be mixed with fresh air to form a mist flow. The mist streams clear the bowl. Fresh air could be substituted by the air from the trap (25) to create vacuum after the trap (25) to facilitate the clearing of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Mohamed Radwan Rafaat Atassi
  • Patent number: 8648724
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for motivating or prompting persons to wash hands. The system includes a sensor for detecting use of a toilet or a urinal, which sensor creates a first signal indicative of that use, and a signaling arrangement for issuing in response to the first signal at least one second signal reminding or prompting the person to use a cleansing agent dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventors: Lars Forsberg, Peter B. Andersen, Murad Mahmoud, Anders Nuchnua Jørgensen
  • Patent number: 8640269
    Abstract: An installation for the intermediate holding and storage of sewage and effluent, said installation comprising a sealable housing 9 having an inlet 1 for receiving said effluent and an outlet for discharging said effluent, a holding reservoir 2 pivotally mounted and positioned within said housing to receive and temporarily store a quantity of said effluent, wherein said holding reservoir is an asymmetrically shaped open bucket adapted to automatically move about said pivot from a first position adapted for receiving and storing said effluent to a second invented position where stored effluent is emptied into said housing under the influence of gravity once the accumulated effluent reaches a sufficient mass wherein said housing includes an effluent race 11 incorporated into the floor of said housing to divert said effluent directly to said outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ducane Research and Development Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Quintin Davenport, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20140007335
    Abstract: An improved potty-training system is described herein. The potty-training system can comprise a potty bowl comprising a concave portion, wherein said concave portion comprises an opening at top surface of the concave portion, a discharging port attached at the bottom of the concave portion and one or more crevices placed axially around the concave portion, the discharging port capable of discharging into a bin. The potty-training system can further comprise a seat lid mounted to the opening, a bottom compartment comprising a body, wherein the body capable of enclosing the bin, a flush system, and a hose system that can comprise an intake hose connected to the flush system, and one or more discharge hoses, each of the discharge hoses connected a nozzle head, each of the nozzle heads positioned at one or more crevices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Venessa Ukaegbu, Ephraim Ukaegbu, Gloria Ukaegbu
  • Patent number: 8528123
    Abstract: A one-piece bowl including an open top, a bottom opening, a rim portion, an interior space and a plurality of cavities is provided. The rim portion substantially surrounds the bowl near the open top, and an inner channel is formed along and within the rim portion. The interior space is substantially defined by an interior surface, the open top and the bottom opening. The plurality of cavities extends from the inner channel to the interior space. The inner channel and the cavities are configured to pass fluid from an outer fluid source to the interior space. A mold assembly and a method for forming a one-piece greenware piece for the bowl are also provided. The mold assembly includes a top mold component and a bottom mold component that are configured to mate and thereby form a reservoir substantially defining the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hashem, Gerald James ST.Louis, Stanley Andrews
  • Publication number: 20130227772
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating the installation of a toilet over a closet collar for a drain pipe. According to various embodiments, a pipe extension for a closet collar adaptation assembly is positioned with the closet collar. The toilet is positioned over the closet collar adaptation assembly. At least one seal is provided between the toilet and the closet collar adaptation assembly to thereby facilitate passage of matter from the toilet through the closet collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: DANCO, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 8465652
    Abstract: The invention relates to a technique of disinfecting household and industrial waste water used as the basis of organo-mineral fertilizers. The present method of disinfection is carried out by means of quick vacuum-pulse actions on sewage sludge using a receiver and quick response valves, with a pulse duration of less than 1.0 seconds at a pressure of not more than 20 mmHg to achieve the required degree of disinfection. Technical result of the use of the invention is to accelerate and simplify the process of disinfection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Twin Trading Company
    Inventors: Yakov Kuzmich Abramov, Vladimir Mihailovich Veselov, Viktor Mihailovich Zalevsky, Vitaly Grigorevich Tamurka, Nikolay Dmitrievich Argunov, Ljubov′ Viktorovna Motovilova, Nikolay Vladimirovich Dvoryaninov, Lidija Petrovna Bogdanova
  • Publication number: 20130112278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bistable pulse solenoid valve control system and method. The control system includes a bistable pulse solenoid valve having a coil current, and including a coil frame, a coil having a magnetic flux, at least two permanent magnets, a valve core disposed inside the coil frame, and a frame configured to encapsulate the permanent magnets, the coil, the valve core, and the coil frame. The system also includes a main control circuit, a polarity conversion control circuit, and a drive current sampling detection circuit. The main control circuit is configured to generate a control signal and the polarity conversion control circuit is configured to control the direction and power on-off time of the coil current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Shanghai Kohler Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shanghai Kohler Electronics, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8381324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum sewage system, which includes a sanitary unit, such as a toilet unit, vacuum sewer piping (200) connected to the sanitary unit, a discharge valve between the sanitary unit and the vacuum sewer piping, and a vacuum generating device for generating vacuum in the vacuum sewer piping. The system comprises an on-line separator device (1) in the vacuum sewer piping (200, 201) and a first pump means (2) and a second pump means (3) connected in parallel with the on-line separator device (1). The first pump means (2) is a vacuum pump for generating vacuum in the vacuum sewer piping (200, 201) and for evacuating air from the sewage flow flowing into the on-line separator device (1) and the second pump means (3) is arranged for pumping mainly sewage from the sewage flow flowing into the on-line separator device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Evac International Oy
    Inventor: Vesa Lappalainen
  • Patent number: 8364546
    Abstract: A restroom monitoring system for monitoring attributes of fixtures within a restroom using sensors. Additional attributes are determined from the monitored attributes. Consumable usage levels are estimated based on predetermined consumption levels associated with usage states of the fixtures. The restroom monitoring system provides an indication of the need for replenishment of consumables based on the monitored attributes of the fixtures. In addition, restroom monitoring system may provide additional information regarding the restroom attributes to a service provider, a manager or a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Edward Yenni, Peter J. Jahrling