Diverse Patents (Class 4/341)
  • Patent number: 11879244
    Abstract: An add-on bidet module for a toilet includes an extendable hose and toilet seat that can be used in modifying an existing toilet or for a toilet having those accessories pre-installed for use as a bidet on a toilet. The accessories also include a compartment with door for storing toilet related products attached to the side of the toilet tank, and a toilet seat having at least one flap opening to allow for the passage of the nozzle. The aforementioned accessories which can include compartments with doors to hide the hose and nozzle as well as for storing toilet related products can form part of a manufactured toilet having those accessories included. A water heater is provided to delivery temperature controlled water to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Denis Ethier
  • Patent number: 11454014
    Abstract: A combination toilet and urinal device. The device includes a tank having a toilet chamber configured to house flushing water with the toilet chamber in fluid communication with a toilet bowl through a toilet chamber discharge port. The tank further includes a urinal chamber that is separated from the toilet chamber. The urinal chamber includes a urinal chamber inlet extending through an exterior surface of the tank for receiving urine in the urinal chamber and delivering the urine to a urinal chamber collection pipe without delivering the urine to the toilet bowl. The device further includes a flushing system configured to flush both the toilet bowl and the urinal chamber collection pipe through the same toilet bowl outlet pipe. Thus, the device is designed to help conserve water by allowing a user to use the urinal feature between toilet uses without flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher Moralez
  • Patent number: 10844584
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a toilet drainage device, which comprises a water tank, a seat body and a mounting seat; the mounting seat is disposed at a bottom wall of the water tank; the mounting seat is provided with a first water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet communicating with each other; wherein, the seat body is provided with an edge channel and a jet channel, wherein the first water inlet is capable of conducting or cutting off with an inner cavity of the water tank; one of the first water outlet and the second water outlet is in communication with the edge channel and the other thereof is in communication with the jet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: XIAMEN R&T PLUMBING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Zhijun Zhong, Haibin Chen, Ziguang Liu
  • Patent number: 10179988
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relating to urinal, in some examples having a movable portion able to pivot from a generally closed to a generally open position. The urinal may have a drain line engaged with a proximal end of the funnel for conveying urine and rinse water into a sewer line or a toilet bowl and a rinse line coupled with a water supply for rinsing urine therein. The urinal may be movable with the assistance of one or more sensors that may automatically signal other electrical or mechanical components to move one or more portions of the urinal, and may be include elements that seal portions of the urinal when not in use or during cleaning to reduce gas or liquid escaping from the urinal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Inventor: Eddie Lor
  • Patent number: 9404246
    Abstract: Disclosed are a self-closing water saving device, method, and toilet. The self-closing water saving device for mounting in a tank of a toilet bowl is used for supplying water to the tank, and is characterized by comprising: a water inlet adapted to be connected to an external water source, a water outlet adapted to provide water to the tank, and a jet-propelling port for jetting water to the bottom of a water trap of the toilet bowl or the bottom of a sewer; wherein, when the tank discharges water to the water trap, the water jetted from the jet-propelling port is used to propel the water which is discharged from the tank and flows into the water trap, the bottom of the water trap, or the bottom of the sewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Chaoan Wanton Sanitaryware Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Jiwei Yu
  • Publication number: 20140317838
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling overflows is provided. The apparatus for controlling overflows may comprise an interior bowl including a waste receptacle and one or more water outlets connected to a water tank. The one or more water outlets may be configured to flush the interior bowl through a primary drain. Additionally, the apparatus for controlling overflows may include an exterior bowl, which may surround the interior bowl. The exterior bowl and the interior bowl may be separated by a gap. The gap may be configured to capture overflow water from the interior bowl when the primary drain malfunctions. Once the overflow water is captured by the gap, it may then be emptied into one or more containers configured to collect the overflow water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Paul A. Komorita
  • Publication number: 20140047631
    Abstract: A vacuum toilet unit having a urinal function with reduced noise emission, system design size and system weight, in which vacuum toilet unit a triggering device for triggering the vacuum valve is adapted in such a manner that the triggering unit may not be triggered when a sit-down toilet is in use as intended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Seibt
  • Publication number: 20120246816
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotatable urinal combined with a toilet. The rotatable urinal includes, in a upper part thereof, a urinal drain tube of a U-shape trap, a urine connecting tube which is rotatable and height adjustable, a lid, and a water supply tube and a water supply valve to disperse the cleaning water. Where, the urinal drain tube is formed in both parts of the top surface of a rear part of a toilet body as one body type with the toilet body for users to assemble the rotatable urinal in any of the left side and right side. The rotatable urinal helps to use much less water by assembling and installing the rotatable urinal in the toilet separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Sukjoon Jung
  • Publication number: 20120186009
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toilet assembly which includes a case and a toilet bowl. The toilet bowl extends from a bottom of the case and toward a direction away from the case, wherein the case is disposed with at least one partition. The partition divides an interior of the case into a first reservoir area and a urinal area. The first reservoir area is adapted to reserve water. At least one surface of the urinal area is formed with an opening, and the opening is adapted for a user to urinate. Thereby, the urinal area can be formed in one piece with and on one side of the toilet assembly. Consequently, it can save the use of water consuming when male users urinates, and it can save the space in the lavatory. Further, the male users can urinate in front of the urinal area without opening the seat lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Chen-Chang LIN
  • Patent number: 8032955
    Abstract: My invention is a new way to combine a urinal and a toilet. The urinal module changes the toilet's appearance very little. The urinal module is simple to use and will help men keep their urine off the bathroom floor. The module raises the toilet seat about three inches to help older people stand up after using the toilet. The module slides off its rods so that it and the toilet bowl can be cleaned. The urinal assembly is simple to install with two bolts holding it to the toilet bowl. The module requires no extra space in the bathroom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Dale H. Emerson
  • Patent number: 8001625
    Abstract: An efficient dual-use toilet that provides a simple, easy-to-use and reliable solution to the problem of wasted toilet flush water is disclosed. The improved toilet provides a two-compartment toilet bowl, wherein the main bowl is used for solid waste and a hydrophobic secondary bowl is used for liquid waste. When only the secondary bowl is used, the toilet does not require flushing. When the toilet is flushed for solid wastes, water simultaneously cleanses the secondary bowl. Importantly, the drain line for the secondary bowl is configured such that during the flush cycle air is prevented coming back through the sewer system and into the household. The system is fully automatic and provides a very easy-to-learn “flush and forget” solution for the user. The amount of water flushed to the sewer system is greatly reduced, and consequently so is the burden on fresh water supply systems as well as the energy cost in required to deliver water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: William R. Tillman
  • Publication number: 20110113541
    Abstract: An efficient dual-use toilet that provides a simple, easy-to-use and reliable solution to the problem of wasted toilet flush water is disclosed. The improved toilet provides a two-compartment toilet bowl, wherein the main bowl is used for solid waste and a hydrophobic secondary bowl is used for liquid waste. When only the secondary bowl is used, the toilet does not require flushing. When the toilet is flushed for solid wastes, water simultaneously cleanses the secondary bowl. Importantly, the drain line for the secondary bowl is configured such that during the flush cycle air is prevented coming back through the sewer system and into the household. The system is fully automatic and provides a very easy-to-learn “flush and forget” solution for the user. The amount of water flushed to the sewer system is greatly reduced, and consequently so is the burden on fresh water supply systems as well as the energy cost in required to deliver water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: William Tillman
  • Publication number: 20100037379
    Abstract: A special toilet tank equipped with a pivoting urinal, to facilitate the collection of urine from a standing male person. This will protect surrounding floors, walls and structure, from urine spray. The folding urinal is moveable from a stored position in the special tank enclosure to a position above the toilet bowl. The urine drops directly into the toilet bowl eliminating the need for a separate drain line. A water line passes through a position valve, to provide rinse water inside the urinal to flush the urine from the inside surfaces. The rinse water also drops into the bowl during flushing. When the urinal is in the stored position, the position valve prevents flow of water to the urinal during normal flushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Brian Hanson, Richard Wayne Hanson
  • Patent number: 6763528
    Abstract: An improved incinerating commode for the disposal of human waste through injection of a combustible fluid into the chamber where the waste is incinerated, separation of the urine component from the fecal component of human waste, and use of the urine component mixed with a cleaning fluid to steam clean and cool the chamber that incinerates the waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: James West
  • Publication number: 20040098799
    Abstract: A combined toilet and urinal has a flush tank and a toilet having a toilet bowl mounted to the flush tank and having a water input from the flush tank and a siphon outlet. The waterless urinal has a urinal bowl having a drain therein. The toilet bowl and urinal bowl are formed in one dual bowl toilet body. A drain tube connects the urinal drain to the toilet siphon outlet of the toilet bowl for draining urine from the waterless urinal and a floatable drain cover is positioned in the waterless urinal bowl to cover the drain opening in the absence of liquid in the bowl and uncovers the urinal drain opening when liquid in the urinal bowl floats the drain cover. The drain cover can be a floatable ball, such as a hollow plastic sphere, while the urinal ball is shaped to direct the free-floating bowl over the drain whenever there is no liquid in the urinal bowl. The urinal bowl has a bottom portion shaped to guide the floatable drain cover over the drain opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Ernest Abney
  • Patent number: 6671891
    Abstract: A commode-urinal is provided with a cleaning-water path connected with water-supplying facilities; the commode-urinal is provided with a draining-off path connected with a sewer-path. The commode-urinal is used together with commode-excrement container as a set thereby the commode can process urine and excrement by different methods. When it is used to process urine, it can effectively solve the existing problems of using water unreasonably and wasting water due to unscientifical processing methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventors: Xiaoming Qi, Ru Qi
  • Patent number: 6253709
    Abstract: An automatic pet watering device installed on the toilet bowl of a conventional toilet, consisting of a conventional toilet bowl having a top cap connected to an outlet for releasing water, a hollow tube extending from the top cap and above the water line and through the toilet bowl and having an end portion bent in a downward position, a water bowl located near the toilet bowl below the hollow tube, the water bowl having an open end and a bottom end, the first end of the water tube connected to the bottom of the water bowl and extending vertically and connected through the toilet bowl and bent downwardly to a point below the water line of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Wayne King
  • Patent number: 6212698
    Abstract: A urine collection kit includes a flexible mounting strip positioned atop the toilet bowl rim for clamping thereto by the toilet seat. A plastic bag is attached to the mounting strip and depends into the toilet bowl upon strip clamping. Urine flow is directed towards a collection cup releasably seated within a port in the bottom of the bag. Adjacent the port are a plurality of slots and a second discharge port for passage of urine overflow therethrough to preclude urine back splash onto a seated patient. The second discharge port includes a tube depending below the cup to preclude urine flow thereon. The front portion of the bag includes additional slots allowing for a collapsed storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Beverly J. Stingley, Sandra S. Lowman
  • Patent number: 6061844
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved water-conserving toilet having independently flushable main and urinal bowls, a water storage tank for storing water for flushing the bowls, and a manually operable flush assembly for flushing the urinal bowl. The flush assembly includes a pump mounted within the water storage tank and a manually operable handle accessible external to the water storage tank. The pump is in fluid communication with the water storage tank and the urinal bowl for pumping a selected amount of water from the water storage tank to the urinal bowl for flushing the urinal bowl upon manual operation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Donn Barton
  • Patent number: 5819331
    Abstract: A urinal attachment for a toilet is provided which consists of a valve assembly mounted to an interior of a tank for the toilet to direct a water supply to a flexible pouch mounted at an underside of the lid of the toilet. A supply hose is connected from the valve assembly to the flexible pouch to rinse the pouch of waste therein and discharge the waste water through an opposite end of the pouch into a drain for the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Edward Miuccio
  • Patent number: 5737779
    Abstract: A hand held movable urinal assembly which can be readily attached to a conventional toilet bowl assembly. The hand held movable urinal assembly includes 1) a flush fluid supply assembly readily connected to a main float valve assembly to receive a flushing fluid therefrom; 2) a movable funnel receiver assembly connected to the flush fluid supply assembly through a fluid discharge line; and 3) a discharge fluid flush assembly connected to the movable funnel receiver assembly having a discharge hose member to transfer fluid to a base reservoir member on the toilet bowl assembly. The movable funnel receiver assembly includes a funnel receiver member having a main body member with a funnel enclosure lid member pivotally connected thereto. The main body member is connected to the discharge hose member to transfer fluids for discharge with normal waste products during a toilet bowl flushing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Robert H. Haddock
  • Patent number: 5671485
    Abstract: A device which is specifically adapted to support a colostomy bag over the opening of a toilet. This device, which facilitates the cleaning of the bag by a user or a care giver, includes a support formed from a metallic wire. This metallic wire support has a first grasping end, a second grasping end and a circular spring formed therebetween. The first grasping end is adapted to removably grasp one rim of a toilet. Oppositely positioned from the first grasping end is a second grasping end. The second grasping end is adapted to removably grasp the opposite rim of the toilet. The centrally disposed spring functions to support the upper end of a colostomy bag. Thus what has been described is a device which can support a colostomy bag over the opening of a toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Robert E. Middlestead
  • Patent number: 5448784
    Abstract: A urinal assembly is disclosed for use in a toilet apparatus having a toilet bowl, a tank communicably connected to and located generally above the toilet bowl and a supply conduit for delivering water under service line pressure to the tank. The toilet assembly comprises a urinal bowl for mounting within the toilet bowl. An inlet conduit is interconnected between the supply conduit and the bowl. A valve is interconnected to the inlet conduit for controlling the flow of water under service line pressure therethrough. An electrical solenoid is employed to selectively open and close the valve to introduce water to the urinal bowl through the inlet conduit. A discharge conduit is provided for discharging water from the urinal bowl when the bowl is flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Inventor: Everett J. Smiley
  • Patent number: 5390374
    Abstract: A water conserving urinal for male and female use attachable to a toilet. The urinal includes a urinal bowl which is supported on a flexible member secured at its lower end to a pivot member. Water is supplied to the bowl from the toilet water supply line via a flexible supply line. A flush valve is provided in the water line and distributes a low volume of water around the interior of the bowl through an interiorly extending flush ring. A waste line extends from discharge of the urinal bowl through the center of the flexible support and through the toilet bowl to the sewer. Fluid waste is thus discharged directly to the sewer line without the necessity of a full flush of the toilet resulting in substantial water savings. The pivot support and flexible support permit the urinal to be moved forward to the desired position and height to accommodate the physical requirements of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventors: Sylvan E. Hubrig, Donald K. Lachowitzer
  • Patent number: 5381568
    Abstract: This disclosure presents a system that provides small but adequate portions of water to a folded or crumpled pad of bathroom tissue for use in giving added comfort and cleansing to anal skin surfaces after evacuation. The system uses only pure, municipal, or equivalent water, or other compatible fluid, and the process is quickly and comfortably performed within easy reach of the user. This device is intended to be installed in and operated in conjunction with most flush type toilet tanks. The device uses available water pressure sad is supplied with water by the normal flushing cycle of the toilet. Types of fluids, other than water may be transported by this system by selecting component materials of the same or similar physical properties that are compatible with the fluid being transported, and may be adapted to situations other than bathroom toilet tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Herman S. Warkentin
  • Patent number: 5345619
    Abstract: A combination toilet and swivel urinal is provided and consists of a toilet having a bowl and a tank on the back. A urinal is hinged on a swivel to the side of the tank. The urinal is fluidly connected between the tank and the bowl of the toilet. The urinal can swing out from the side of the tank to a useable position and can swing back out of the way to a stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Richard Harrington
  • Patent number: 5301374
    Abstract: A urinal assembly is disclosed for use in a toilet apparatus. There is a urinal bowl for mounting within the main toilet bowl. A urinal flush line and urinal flush valve mechanism are provided for selectively introducing water under service line pressure exclusively into the urinal bowl to flush the bowl. A discharge conduit is interconnected between the urinal bowl and the main sewer line of the toilet for discharging the contents of the urinal bowl when the urinal bowl is flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Everett J. Smiley
  • Patent number: 5299328
    Abstract: A water closet includes a urinal disposed adjacent to a stationary bowl which is movable between a retracted position and a used position in which the urinal is arranged to receive liquid waste. The urinal is pivotally mounted to the water closet to allow the urinal to be pivoted between the retracted position and the used position. In one embodiment, the urinal pivots about a horizontal axis, while in another embodiment the urinal pivots about a vertical axis. In both embodiments, the use position is disposed forwardly of the retracted position with to respect to the user, and when in the retracted position the urinal is disposed in a recess in the tank of the water closet. A plunger-activated valve is mounted on the tank to supply a limited amount of water (such as one pint) to the urinal for flushing when the urinal is returned to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Wayne Walega
  • Patent number: 5148553
    Abstract: A child's urinal for hanging on the outside of a toilet, wherein a basin having an integral back wall forming a splash wall is suspended from the side of a toilet, the back wall is dimensioned to positioned the basin in proximity to the floor adjacent the toilet to render the urinal accessible to a child. The basin and integral back wall can be detachable connected to a frame member suspended from the side of the toilet, and the frame member can include an adjustable feature for varying the position of the basin relative to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: Frederic Jermann
  • Patent number: 5134728
    Abstract: A height adjustable urinal is disclosed. The urinal receptacle is mounted on a slide plate that is connected to a hydraulic cylinder. Water is directed under pressure into and out of the hydraulic cylinder to adjust the receptacle to the desired height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Russell J. Sturm
  • Patent number: 5073500
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the concentration values of constituents of urine collected in a toilet bowl. A conduit extends from the urine-collecting portion of the bowl to a concentration-measuring device. A gas injector is mounted beside the conduit to intermittently inject gas into the conduit, for dividing the urine contained in the conduit into aliquots. The concentration values of urinary constituents of each aliquot are measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Inax Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Saito, Kenji Shirai, Ryuichi Kawamoto, Shigeru Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 5050248
    Abstract: A combination toilet and urinal which includes a one piece urinal as part of the flush tank. The urinal is fitted with a flush valve using a portion of the water from the water closet. The urinal includes a separate drain positioned directly above and opening into the sewage outlet of the toilet. The urinal is situated higher than the toilet and to the rear. The seat of the urinal is also positioned within a central, front recess formed in the water closet. The urinal includes a seat such that females as well as males can use the urinal and avoid the higher water usage of the toilet. The support structure supporting the urinal includes a converging pair of side walls which form leg reception areas both for those sitting on the urinal and those standing in front of the urinal. The toilet seat is also formed of a width which is lesser in width than a conventional toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: Carlo Olivero
  • Patent number: 4653125
    Abstract: A portable sanitary facility is disclosed which, in one embodiment is particularly adapted for use by males needing only to relieve themselves of liquid body wastes. A sanitary unit is carried by a trailer to achieve portability between a use station and a disposal site. The sanitary unit includes a main compartment more or less encompassed by a trough with apertures being provided in the compartment walls to drain liquid introduced into the trough into the compartment interior. The main compartment is divided into a plurality of sub-compartments by transverse vertical baffles which include a series of apertures for establishing liquid communication between the subcompartments. The baffles serve to prevent shifting of the liquid load and thus stabilize the trailer during transport to a disposal site. A valved outlet is provided to permit draining the facility at a disposal site. Removable access covers permit entry into the facility interior during fabrication, maintenance and cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventor: Robert M. Porter
  • Patent number: 4285076
    Abstract: Flushing apparatus is provided for cleaning and flushing out ileostomy bags. The apparatus includes a bracket which is adapted to fit over a toilet and which includes an upright open-ended tubular support member. A second tubular member with a funnel top is adapted to fit into the tubular support member of the bracket in telescoping relationship. The second tubular member is coupled to a source of flush water, and a flexible tube is provided which extends upwardly through the funnel member to receive the mouth of the ileostomy bag when the bag (worn by the patient) is positioned over the top of the funnel member, and which introduces flush water into the interior of the bag, and which serves to flush the contents of the bags down through the second tubular member and into the toilet, below the water level in the toilet to prevent splashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Inventor: Samuel R. Dickstein
  • Patent number: 4197598
    Abstract: A siphoning water closet incorporating a toilet bowl having a first flushable reservoir for liquid wastes and a second flushable reservoir for solid wastes, the reservoirs being separately flushable so as to expend less flushing water and to expel less disposable sewage than conventional single flush siphoning water closets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Inventor: Newton R. Lemmon
  • Patent number: 4133057
    Abstract: A toilet set to be installed in a minimum size room comprising in combination a support with a water closet discharge provided at its top with two basins located side by side and slidable at will transversely, in order to serve selectively the functions of a water closet pot and of a bidet, a washing basin which can be tilted to vertical position, a shower delivery, a movable urinal with internal washing and streaming water discharge, a mechanism for delivering water to the aforesaid services connected to a thermostat and a warm air delivery unit associated with the shower and the bidet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Inventor: Stefano Rivetti