Bidets Patents (Class 4/443)
  • Patent number: 5946741
    Abstract: A toilet attachment is configured for positioning between a toilet seat and a toiled bowl. In use, the toilet attachment is secured by the weight of the toilet seat. The toilet attachment has a base plate and a tubular irrigation assembly which can be connected to a fluid line. The base plate has an upper and lower surface, a rear end and a front end. When the base plate is installed, the rear end faces a rear portion of the bowl and the front end faces a front portion of the bowl. The base plate has ports to receive and secure the fluid line and the irrigation assembly. These ports are located at the front end. The irrigation assembly comprises an irrigation tip, and in one embodiment of the toilet attachment, a restictor as a limiter for preventing insertion of the tip too far into a body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: In E. Moon
  • Patent number: 5937451
    Abstract: An inexpensive bidet having a simple structure for heating and pressurizing washing water and having a good operability and a good washing ability. A three-way valve (51) is provided in a mixture plug (5) in a bathroom so that the mixing plug (5) branches into three ways a hose (7), a faucet (53) and a water temperature ascertaining port (54). A bidet (1) is connected to the mixing plug (5) via a hose (7). The bidet (1) is formed by a grip section (2), a washing water conduction pipe (21), a nozzle (3) at the free end of the grip section (2), and a valve rod (4). The washing water is supplied simultaneously to the hose (7) and the water temperature ascertaining port (54) via the three-way valve (51). The flow rate of the washing water is regulated by the valve rod (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Kenji Mihara
  • Patent number: 5893177
    Abstract: A cabinet in a bathroom wall is mounted for use by a user sitting on a toilet. A mixing valve in the cabinet receives a flow of water from hot and cold water inlets and provides flow regulation and control. A flexible conduit is coupled to the valve and is provided with a hand grip removably held in place in the cabinet so as to position a nozzle of the hand grip for discharge of the flow of water into a drain opening. A temperature indicator is served by a sensor responsive to the temperature of the flow of water and provides a readout to the user. Testing of the water temperature may also be achieved by touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventors: Arlen M. Roemen, William F. Glenn
  • Patent number: 5884345
    Abstract: A sanitary device for washing private parts of a person sitting on a toilet bowl includes a first nozzle positioned within the toilet bowl and having a main passage and an auxiliary passage. The main passage has at least one main aperture and the auxiliary passage has at least one auxiliary aperture, the main and auxiliary apertures being located at a distal end of the first nozzle and being directed to a private part of a person sitting on the toilet bowl. A second nozzle is positioned within the toilet bowl and has a third passage having at least one third aperture located at a distal end of the second nozzle and being directed to another private part of a person sitting on the toilet bowl. A regulating device is fluidically disposed between a supply of water under pressure and each of the main passage, the auxiliary passage and the third passage for establishing a variable degree of fluid communication between the water supply and at least one of the main, auxiliary and third passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Sugiyama, Toshiyuki Torii
  • Patent number: 5864895
    Abstract: A handy body washer comprises: a main body; a pump accommodated in the main body, a tank, slidably attached to the main body to house the main body therein, and a retractable nozzle member connected to the main body. The nozzle member has a free end and a plurality of nozzle apertures formed proximate the free end. The tank comprises: (i) a bottomed cylindrical body having an open top end and a bottom end, where the bottom end has a water supply opening; (ii) a water supply cover pivotally supported on the bottom end for opening and closing the water supply opening; and (iii) a gutter formed in an inner surface of the water supply cover for introducing the washing water flowing downward into the water supply opening while the water supply cover is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignees: Toto Ltd, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Ltd
    Inventors: Masuo Ota, Miho Shirakawa, Shigehiko Fujita, Katsumi Nishimura, Yoshitaka Ezoe, Kinya Kawanobe, Hajime Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5809586
    Abstract: A device for washing the crotch region of a patient, including a base, a nozzle secured on the base for ejecting a washing liquid, a lower cushioning member provided on the base and having an opening so that the washing liquid ejected from the nozzle passes through the opening. A cover having an upper cushioning member provided with a recess portion is detachably mounted over the base with the lower cushioning member being in pressure contact with the upper cushioning member such that a washing chamber is defined by the recess, the opening and the base. The lower and upper cushioning members are shaped for supporting the femoral and lumbar regions of the patient therebetween such that the pubic region and the anal region of the patient are positioned in the washing chamber and are washed with the washing liquid ejected from the nozzle. A discharge port is provided in the base for discharging the used washing liquid from the washing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Teruo Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5809585
    Abstract: A sanitation device used for a person's hygiene is mounted to a wall adjacent a commode. Generally, the sanitation device comprises a commode adapted for disposing contents within a bowl, and a drain member, operatively associated with the commode, for draining the contents of the bowl. A sanitary water delivery member, operatively associated with the commode, is disclosed for cleaning the person's genital area with a stream water is also provided. In the preferred embodiment, the sanitary water delivery member includes a discharge nozzle; and, a tube having a first end and a second end, with the first end being connected to the discharge nozzle. The second end of the tube will be operatively connected to a water supply for supply water to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Fred F. Farshad
  • Patent number: 5754988
    Abstract: A heated bidet device including a housing member. The housing member has an interior wall that forms a water tank and a storage compartment within. An elongated water line has a first end coupled to the toilet water line and a second end coupled to the water tank. The elongated water line is capable of carrying water from the toilet water line to the water tank. Included is a device for heating the water stored within the water tank. Also, a tension rod is mounted within the storage compartment. The tension rod is capable of supporting a hose coupling with a pump capable of drawing water from the water tank and into the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Carolyn V. D. Presa
  • Patent number: 5742961
    Abstract: A conventional shower head is fitted with a tee fitting having a flow through passage and an additional tee passage within which a valve and control handle are supported. A flexible hose is coupled to a head assembly which includes an elongated handle and an elongated spray head. The handle defines an interior passage for coupling water under pressure from the flexible hose to the interior of the spray head. The spray head is elongated and defines angled facets each having a plurality of spray apertures formed therein. A valve slide shaped in correspondence to the interior of the spray head is slidably movable within the spray head. The valve slide defines a plurality of apertures corresponding to the apertures formed in the spray body. Volume of spray adjustment is controlled by the position of the valve slide with respect to the spray body. The angled facets of the spray head and aperture placement are configured to provide a hygiene device for cleaning the rectal area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventors: John L. Casperson, Robert Ozeran
  • Patent number: 5722097
    Abstract: A permanent mounting adapter that enables a "U" shaped rigid bidet tubing structure to be placed through a hole on top of the adapter. The adapter is affixed to the lavatory by an ultra high strength double sided adhesive tape. The bidet nozzle is placed directly under the dirty buttocks by moving a handle backward that is part of the tubing structure of the bidet. The bidet nozzle can be moved away after use by moving the handle forward. Moving the handle pivots the rigid bidet structure through the hole on top of the mounting adapter. The mounting adapter and tubing structure are placed below the lavatory seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: William B. Deveer
  • Patent number: 5685028
    Abstract: There is provided a personal hygiene system comprising a means for conducting personal hygiene and a means for removably holding and mounting the personal hygiene device. The personal hygiene device comprises a nozzle having a removable spray tip at a first end, a flexible hose connected to a connection end of the nozzle and a means for connecting the flexible hose to a source of water. Three primary spray tips are included to accomplish various rinsing operations. Also included is a means to add medicinal or cleansing solutions to the flushing fluids. The means for mounting allows for mounting flush with the surface of a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventors: Celia Miller, Guadalupe DeLa Garza, Charles R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5666676
    Abstract: A cabinet in a bathroom wall receives hot and cold water flows with a mixing valve in the cabinet serving to additionally provide an on-off control. A flexible conduit is provided with a hand grip removably held in place in the cabinet so as to position a nozzle of the hand grip over an outlet for discharge of a preliminary water flow for temperature testing purposes. A thermometer is served by a sensor responsive to the temperature of a mixed flow and provides a readout to the user. Testing of water temperature may also be achieved by touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventors: Arlen M. Roemen, William F. Glenn
  • Patent number: 5647090
    Abstract: A comprehensive diverse nonleaking cleaning apparatus consists of a cleaning portion that sprays water and cleaning fluid while receiving waste products of the sprayed fluid, a waste discharge device that temporarily stores and discharges waste collected from the cleaning portion, and a high pressure hose for spraying fluid therein attached to the cleaning portion and to a blow out motor pump. The apparatus sprays a mixture of water and cleaning fluid and simultaneously retrieves and temporarily stores the waste (including the original sprayed content) by means of an added pressure hose connected to a motor pump. The lavatory embodiment, usable by individuals with limited movement, such as elderly, disabled, bedridden patients etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Sung Hwa Yang
  • Patent number: 5551098
    Abstract: A hygienic method utilizes a bidet device including a substantially annular frame having an inlet port, an outlet port and a reservoir chamber for guiding a fluidic cleaning agent from the inlet port to the outlet port. The method comprises the steps of (a) disposing the frame on a toilet bowl rim or toilet seat, (b) introducing the fluidic cleaning agent to the frame via the inlet port, (c) pressurizing the fluidic cleaning agent introduced to the frame, (d) dispensing the fluidic cleaning agent from the frame through the outlet port onto one's anus and/or external genitalia, and (e) subsequently to the step of dispensing, removing the bidet device from the toilet bowl rim or toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Peter J. Wilk
  • Patent number: 5421039
    Abstract: A warm water tank in a sanitary device for a toilet bowl has a tank portion. A heater disposed in the tank portion so as to be located at a side portion of the toilet bowl. A water supply pipe is disposed in the tank portion so as to be located at the side portion of the toilet bowl. A water storing chamber formed in the tank portion so as to be located at a upper portion of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Hirashiba, Osamu Matsubara, Kouichi Hayashi, Shinji Kawai
  • Patent number: 5390277
    Abstract: This invention relates to the control of the temperature of heated fluid flow through a so-called single pass electrical heater. Specifically, a controller and accompanying flow circuit including a flow through single pass electrical heater is disclosed which provides for heating of water upon initiation of flow. A two stage control protocol is utilized for routing current under precise control to the heater element. In the first protocol utilized at start up to a control temperature limit slightly below the temperature set point, phase angle of current turn on with zero crossing current turn off control a 220 volt current to the single pass heater element. Once the control temperature is achieved, incremental adjustment of phase angle thereafter occurs with rapid asymptotical approach of the output temperature of the flowing water to a preselected temperature "set point" occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Andermac, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Van Wagner, John Stapleton, Mohammed R. Hay, Allan W. Byers
  • Patent number: 5369817
    Abstract: A toilet seat box device to be mounted on the rear part of the top of a toilet contains a nozzle for spraying washing water onto the buttocks of the person using the toilet and a water flow adjustment valve for adjusting the flow of water supplied to the nozzle. The toilet box device has a projecting part on one side which projects toward the front of the toilet. A washing strength dial for operating the water flow adjustment valve is located on the side of the projecting part, and an axle rotated by the dial is mechanically connected to the water flow adjustment valve by gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Inax Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Iguchi
  • Patent number: 5361427
    Abstract: A bidet device comprises a substantially annular balloon member disposable on a toilet bowl rim or toilet seat. The balloon member is provided with an inlet port for enabling a filling of the balloon member with a fluidic cleaning agent such as water. A valve is operatively connected to the balloon for closing the inlet port upon a filling of the balloon member with the fluidic cleaning agent. An outlet port communicates with the balloon member and is connected thereto for dispensing the fluidic cleaning agent from the balloon member upon an application of compressive pressure to the balloon member, specifically by a person sitting on the balloon member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Peter J. Wilk
  • Patent number: 5359736
    Abstract: A bidet device useable with a toilet has a nozzle (82) which supplies water in an accurate confined spray to the anal or genital area followed by air blown through the same nozzle so as to dry the wetted areas. Both water and air are electrically heated in unit (12) under thermostatic control. A hand grip (60) is used to slide spray conduit (62) and nozzle (82) from a storage position under the lop of the toilet bowl to an appropriate longitudinal position. Switch (52) is then used to control a low voltage circuit which energizes solenoid valves for the alternate supply of water and air. The unit will not operate unless both microswitch (80) [activated by cam (78)] and a pressure switch responding to the user's weight, are closed. In alternative arrangements the spray assembly is carried on an arm turning on a vertical pivot attached to the toilet pedestal or it forms part of a hand-held wand having no attachment to the toilet pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Colivier Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Gerard J. Olivier
  • Patent number: 5331692
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a manifold rotatably attached to the undersurface of a toilet seat extending from front to back and shaped so that when it is rotated against the undersurface it skirts the opening in the seat. A lever is provided at the front end of the manifold for use in moving it between its in use position with the plane of the manifold normal to the undersurface and its stowed position, essentially flat against the undersurface. The back end of the manifold is joined by a rotary joint to a supply tube, also mounted on the undersurface near the back of the seat and at a right angle to the manifold. A valve in this tube controls flow to the manifold. There are several orifices in the manifold, directing flow upward when the manifold is in use. There are movable sleeves on the manifold, one near each orifice, used to close off any orifice(s) when desired. In its stowed position the portion of the manifold in which the orifices are located lies in a channel attached to the undersurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: John Alberti
  • Patent number: 5319811
    Abstract: A water closet includes a toilet bowl, a toilet seat liftably and lowerably mounted on the toilet bowl, and an apparatus supported adjacent the toilet seat for the personal hygiene of the occupant of the water closet. The apparatus comprises a tank for storing water therein; and an air pump connected with the tank for introducing compressed air into the tank to place a volume thereof under pneumatic pressure. The air pump includes an actuating member for operating the air pump. The apparatus further has a spraying device connected to the tank and supported in a zone of the toilet seat for discharging, from the tank, water driven by the pneumatic pressure to clean the posterior of the occupant. A valve is connected between the tank and the spraying device. The valve has a closed position in which water is prevented from being discharged by the spraying device and an open position in which water is discharged from the spraying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventor: Peter J. Hauri
  • Patent number: 5295274
    Abstract: Liquid dispensing apparatus includes a tank for storing liquid to be dispensed, a fill line communicating with an interior of the tank and adapted to be coupled to a source of the liquid, a heating element for heating the liquid, a heating control device for controlling the heating element to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature, a dispensing device for dispensing liquid from the tank under pressure and a dispensing control device for selectively controlling the dispensing of the liquid by the dispensing device. The fill line is adapted to be connected to existing plumbing, such as a toilet water supply line behind a wall adjacent the toilet. The tank is adapted to be housed in a recessed wall cabinet adjacent the toilet so that the entire apparatus is hidden from view when not in use. The tank includes a sump portion defining a lowermost portion of the tank, to facilitate complete evacuation of liquid from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventors: Rickey A. Daniels, Thomas R. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5271104
    Abstract: A toilet bidet provides a cold water supply hose for attachment to an existing toilet's filler tube, may include a heating unit mounted to the side of the existing toilet tank, a water delivery hose leading to a bracket housing mounted on the rim of the existing toilet bowl, and a pivotable bidet arm directing the water upwards through a bidet nozzle towards the center of the toilet bowl. The heating unit is activated by a tank-mounted switch having a float switch or switch arm extending beneath the existing toilet's float arm, so that each time the toilet is flushed, and the float arm falls with the dropping water level in the tank, the float switch or switch arm is depressed, thereby activating the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventor: Salvatore C. LaTora
  • Patent number: 5234418
    Abstract: A method of bathing and soaking the perineum of women, including postpartum women, by standing in the shower and directing water from the shown head into an open-topped vessel held between the upper-inner thighs. The related apparatus incorporates dam means to assure that excessive water velocities do not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Inventor: Christine L. McAnlis
  • Patent number: 5230107
    Abstract: A portable bidet seat is described as being supported by one side of a bathtub enclosure and by a first pipe secured to a wall adjacent to an opposite side of the enclosure. A pair of additional pipes traverse within the first pipe, one of which is coupled to direct a tap water flow from the bathtub faucet to the bidet unit. The other pipe of the pair couples to a whirlpool system for the bathtub. In a further embodiment of the invention, the first pipe may also be coupled to the faucet and be perforated to provide a sideways directed shower flow for the tub user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Inventors: Boris Alperovich, Leonid Vakhovsky
  • Patent number: 5206928
    Abstract: A fluid heater and storage device for a bidet includes an electric heater (3) positioned inside a housing (1) in a lower portion thereof. The housing (1) has a connection side with an inlet opening (6) and an outlet opening (7) for the fluid to enter and exit the housing located in an upper portion of the connection side. An insert (10) is positioned in the upper portion the housing (1) adjacent to the inlet opening (6). The insert (10) receives input fluid from the inlet opening (6) and guides the fluid along the connection side towards the lower portion of the housing (1). The input fluid then flows across the bottom of the housing and is heated by the heater (3) as it flows the recross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Geberit AG
    Inventor: Beat Sporri
  • Patent number: 5201080
    Abstract: A cleansing control apparatus includes: a cleansing fluid projector for projecting a cleansing fluid; a position controller for controlling the position where the fluid from the cleansing fluid projector hits an aimed part; a pick-up part which monitors the color and brightness of the aimed part so as to thereby output an image signal, and a control part which outputs a control signal to the position controller so as to determine the position of the aimed part to be cleaned on the basis of the image signal from the pick-up unit, whereby it is possible to project a medicine, cleanser, toilet water, etc. different from the cleansing water from a second fluid projector, and the aimed part can be properly treated, for example, a wound of the aimed part can be healed or protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Tanaka, Hiroshi Fujieda
  • Patent number: 5170462
    Abstract: A cleaning water heating and supplying device comprises a tank that has a body and a cover and is divided by a partition into a heating zone in which an electric heater is provided and a reserving zone in which a detector for detecting the level of the water is provided. A water circulating pipe guides the heated water from the upper part of the heating zone to the lower part of the reserving zone and is located on the partition wall. A valve for controlling the water supply into the heating zone and a sensor for sensing the temperature of the heating zone are provided in communication with the heating zone. A discharge valve is provided in communication with the reserving zone. A lever which is controlled by a remote control cable to operate the valve and an associated switch is provided at the outside of the tank. The device promptly provides the required amount of heated water at the required temperature at any time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chan G. Park
  • Patent number: 5159722
    Abstract: A shower arm (9) drive for a bidet is provided in which the shower arm, a lever type drive mechanism (37), a piston cylinder (36), and a water distributor (34) are fastened on a support plate (1). To extend the shower arm (9) for the showering process, the pressure chamber (39) of the piston cylinder (36) is connected to the water mains by actuating a pressure switch. The piston (21) is pushed forward against the restoring force of a compression spring by the pressure of the water fowing into the chamber (39), and the shower arm (9) is extended via the lever type drive mechanism (37). A control valve (12) regulates the admission of warm shower water to a nozzle (10) arranged at the front end of the shower arm (9). The drive permits space-saving arrangement and the installation of the drive in a water closet lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Geberit AG.
    Inventor: Alois Diethelm
  • Patent number: 5097540
    Abstract: A self-contained hand-held bidet device, for providing lavaging action with portability and convenience. A somewhat pistol configuration housing contains a pump, controls and support for a retractable nozzle being sized and shaped to spray a stream of fluid from a reservoir mounted at one end of the housing. Lightweight construction and a collapsible reservoir faciltiate convenient storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Harold B. Lovitt
  • Patent number: 5097539
    Abstract: An improved hygienic spray apparatus for use in connection with a toilet bowl comprising a crescent-shaped shelf integrally protruding from the forward right hand side of a toilet bowl, the shelf and the bowl comprising a unitary body; the toilet bowl comprising a main bowl portion for holding water therein supplied by a first source of water, the main bowl portion having an open top for receiving waste therethrough into the water; the shelf having an aperture in a top surface thereof for mounting a water spray mechanism therein, the water spray mechanism being connected to one end of a flexible hose, the other end of the hose being connected to a second source of water; the shelf forming an enclosed chamber around the outside surface of the main bowl portion of the toilet bowl; the shelf being disposed on the right hand side of the bowl below the rim of the open top such that the water spray mechanism is readily manually accessible by a person sitting over the main bowl for ready removal from the mounting ap
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Virginia K. Tchorbadjian
  • Patent number: 5063619
    Abstract: A vacuum breaker assembly for a bidet including a vacuum breaker body defining a fluid passageway therethrough and a vacuum breaker opening communicating with the fluid passageway. A piston check valve is movably received within the fluid passageway and moves between positions wherein the vacuum breaker opening is open and closed. A duckbill check valve is fixedly recived within the fluid passageway of the vacuum breaker body upstream of the piston check valve, thereby providing additional protection against backflow of contaminated water through the device. Flexible conduits are connected to the vacuum breaker body inlet and outlet and communicate with a suitable potable water source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: U.S. Tap, Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert W. Ross, Scott C. Baker, Svend Demant
  • Patent number: 5050249
    Abstract: A human private parts washing apparatus according to this invention is provided with the following: a new washing water splashing means comprising a nozzle supporter, a washing nozzle and a washing water supply tube, which is extending in the washing nozzle in a manner with one end protruding in the washing nozzle, and supplies the washing water to the washing nozzle and makes up the washing nozzle advancement at the same time; a newly arranged washing nozzle driving means comprising a fixed rack formed on a nozzle supporter, a movable rack formed on a washing nozzle in a manner parallelly facing the fixed rack and a pinion meshing the fixed rack and the movable rack; a washing nozzle comprising an outer nozzle operated slidably back and forth with a washing nozzle driving means and an inner nozzle operated slidably with a hydraulic pressure of the supplied washing water; and an auxiliary washing nozzle driving means aiding a washing nozzle driving means to operate the washing nozzle over an additional stroke
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisanobu Takeda, Tomio Oguma
  • Patent number: 5023961
    Abstract: A bidet accessory for mounting to the rear flanged section of two-piece toilet fixtures and removably connected to hot and cold water supplies. An outlet is connected through a flexible conduit to a sprayer that is, when not in use, held in place by the supporting assembly. A mounting assembly is mounted to the supporting assembly and it allows for the installation of the bidet accessory in a multitude of different angles depending on the users' preferences and space constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Nelson A. Alonso
  • Patent number: 4995121
    Abstract: A compact bidet assembly having external adjustment is mounted to the rear undersurface of a seat of a conventional toilet. A body having a fixed element connected to a source of water by means of flexible tubing hidden under the seat has an adjacent rotatable element and internal passageway leading to a nozzle. The nozzle rotates in response to a hidden control rod having a handle extended just beyond the seat edge and aligned to indicate the directional position of the nozzle, the nozzle being rotatable in a vertical arc to about 15 degrees above horizontal (seat down) to at least 30 degrees below horizontal. A control valve assembly provides water preadjusted for temperature and pressure to the bidet assembly by off-on control with the initial surge of warmup water being diverted to the bowl under the seat. An alternate control valve assembly is provided to replace the sink faucet assembly one mode supplying water through a diverter valve to the bidet and another mode diverting water to the sink faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: Douglas J. Barker
  • Patent number: 4987617
    Abstract: A nozzle mechanism in a sanitary device has a first cylinder and a second cylinder each of which accommodates a pipe for injecting an amount of water. A single common driving device is positioned between the cylinders so as to selectively move the first cylinder or the second cylinder towards an interior of a toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Furukawa, Yuji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 4980933
    Abstract: A washing device for parts of human body comprises a thermostatic mixing valve which is disposed at a junction of a cold water supply passage and a heated water supply passage, a latching solenoid valve which is mounted on a heated water drainage passage branched out from said heated water supply passage and a latching solenoid valve which is mounted on a mixed hot water supply passage. Due to such construction, electric power for heating water is no longer necessary in the toilet bowl and electric power for mixing heated water and cold water to produce mixed hot water to be ejected from an ejecting nozzle also becomes unnecessary. Furthermore, electric power for operating the solenoid valve is minimized by means of a latching solenoid. Accordingly, the overall consumption of electric power necessary for operating and controlling the washing device can be minimized thus enabling the use of a small dry cell or battery as an electric power source of the washing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Tsutsui, Hisato Haraga, Kiyoshi Fujino, Yoshinobu Uchimura, Yoshiki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 4951702
    Abstract: A non-rise bidet valve comprising a housing having a fluid inlet and first and second discharge openings; a fluid diverting chamber having a fluid admitting opening and first and second outtake ports; a fluid passage connecting the fluid inlet in open fluid communication with the fluid admitting opening of the diverting chamber; a first fluid outlet passage connecting the first outtake port with the first discharge opening; a second fluid outlet passage connecting the second outtake port with a second discharge passage; and a diverter member mounted in the diverting chamber for movement between first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Canceramic Limited
    Inventor: John J. Brotcke
  • Patent number: 4924534
    Abstract: Novel toilets and toilet seats having hygienic cleaning apparatus are provided which include valve-regulated water sources and flexible conduit means for transferring a flow of water to a point of application. The flexible conduit is disposed to be resiliently extendable from a position integral with the toilet or seat. Alternative embodiments include magnetically-attracting elements for attaching nozzles, connected to the flexible conduit, to either the toilet seat or bowl rim for keeping the nozzles out of sight when not in use. Further embodiments include a separate compartment for housing a portion of the flexible conduit and the nozzle. This compartment includes a lid which can be opened by the user when hygienic washing is required, and may further include a removable drainage seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Pauline R. Basile
  • Patent number: 4890340
    Abstract: A self-contained hand-held bidet device, for providing lavaging action with portability and convenience. The device comprises a housing having a motorized pump with a power source and switch for activating the pump. The pump draws fluid from a reservoir mounted at one end of the housing and pumps the fluid through a pivotal conduit to exit as a spray. Lightweight construction, a collapsible reservoir and the pivotally mounted wand facilitate convenient storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Harold B. Lovitt
  • Patent number: 4807311
    Abstract: A bidet attachment for conventional commodes which have a bowl. The attachment has a swing arm with a spray head that can be moved toward and away from the center of the bowl. The arm is mounted by a swivel mount. The swivel mount includes anti-siphon means, and a safety valve. The safety valve closes the system unless the swing arm is in place, thus making safe the use of a swing arm which can readily be removed for cleaning or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Inventor: Luis Ingels
  • Patent number: 4761837
    Abstract: A washing device for parts of body comprises a pump means to supply water from a water source under pressure and a nozzle means which spouts the pressurized water against the private parts of human body as a water jet. Since the pump means has an air intake port on the suction side, air foam is securely mixed in the water jet. Also, since an air control valve is provided in connection with the air intake port, the mixing ratio of the air in the water can be controlled by the air control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisanobu Takeda
  • Patent number: 4706311
    Abstract: A bathtub unit (1) is provided which is set into wall recesses which may form a shower stall if desired. The tub unit includes a raised seat (12) at one end and a downwardly recessed tub (13) at the other end. The front wall of the seat is recessed rearwardly (16) to provide heel room for the user, and the seat top is provided with a drain run (18) which discharges into the tub. A plurality of foot holds (28) are spaced along the longitudinal side walls of the tub, and in the present embodiment comprise vertically extending tapered recesses (29, 30) provided with foot stops (31). Hand rails (32) are disposed along the longitudinal tub edges above the foot holds, with the rails having projections (34) spaced therealong. The user can work himself down into or up from the tub in a step-by-step manner by utilizing one or the combination of foot holds and hand rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Inventor: Louis Jarosinski
  • Patent number: 4688275
    Abstract: A sterilizer is provided with an automatic closer which includes a resilient plug normally closing a delivery tube of the sterilizer to stop liquid flow from a reservoir filled with cleaning chemical or sterilizing agent to thereby prevent loss of the liquid when not in cleansing user, and which can be opened upon the depression by a user's gravity acting upon a toilet seat to allow the liquid flow for cleansing purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventor: Dai-Ming Kuo
  • Patent number: 4670917
    Abstract: A sterilizer for toilet spray attachment includes a reservoir filled with sterilizing agent or cleaning chemical, a delivery tube connected with the reservoir, a mixing portion connected with the delivery tube and connected between a water conduit for supplying a pressurized water and a spray nozzle adapted for spraying user's anus or genitals, whereby upon the supply of pressurized water, the liquid in the reservoir will be automatically drained or sucked into the mixing portion for thorough mixing and for final spraying and cleansing purposes for the toilet users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Dai-Ming Kuo
  • Patent number: 4628548
    Abstract: A device for moving a cleansing nozzle connected to a water supply system includes an elongated nozzle, a cylinder in which the nozzle is axially slidable, a motor having an output shaft, a drum body mounted on the output shaft, the drum body having a cylindrical rim surface and a sectoral recess extending from the surface, a sectoral insert disposed in the recess and having a partial cylindrical surface conforming to and forming a continuation of the cylindrical rim surface, and a leaf spring having one end connected to the nozzle and the other end held between the drum body and the sectoral insert such that rotation of the drum body extends and withdraws the nozzle longitudinally as the leaf spring unwraps and wraps around the drum body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kurosawa, Shigeru Niki, Shigenari Kadomatsu, Motoki Moroi, Takao Yuasa, Masami Iida, Tetsuhiro Katamune, Akiyoshi Seki, Kazutaka Ide
  • Patent number: 4622704
    Abstract: A portable sanitary device for cleansing the lower torso of the human body by a stream of warm water extracted from a reservoir of water heated by an electrical heating device is disclosed. The reservoir of the device comprises an enclosed lower compartment containing a heating device and a constant volume of warmed water. An upper compartment open at the top receives a supply of cold water. The upper compartment is detachable from the lower compartment to permit filling with cold water. The upper cold water reservoir contains a tubular extension which extends downward and when mounted to the sanitary device, extends to the bottom of the lower warm water reservoir. A hollow breathing tube extending from the lower compartment to the top of the upper compartment permits gravity feed of the cold water into the warm water reservoir as warm water is pumped from the lower compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Health Jet, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing-Yau Chung
  • Patent number: 4616368
    Abstract: A sanitary cleaning apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a cleaning water discharge device, a functional device including another cleaning water discharge device or a private parts dryer, a member for turning on and off the cleaning water discharge device, and a human body (presence or absence) detector. Only while the human body detector produces a human body detection signal, the on-off member for the cleaning water discharge device or the functional device is turned on, thereby selectively actuating a corresponding device. One of the devices thus turned on as selected above is de-energized by (a) the turning off of the on-off member of the selected device, (b) the turning on of the on-off member of the other device not selected, or (c) extinction of the human body detection signal of the human body detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nagai, Hirofumi Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 4615057
    Abstract: A process is described of coating the interior wall of a mould heated at a temperature of 130.degree. to 180.degree. C. with a dry powder of an aminoplast or phenoplast resin, in particular melamine-formaldehyde, having a grain size distribution of 10 to 100.mu., whose particles gel in contact with the walls without running, then introducing into the mould a moulding composition comprising a thermosetting resin, mineral fillers and a catalyst, hardening and polymerizing by heat and pressure the contents of the mould and releasing the article whose coating is solidly anchored in the moulding composition.Sanitary ware articles of polyester-based substrate and melamine-formaldehyde-based coating, and refrigerator boxes consisting of polyurethane foam substrate and melamine-formaldehyde coating can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Groupe Axinove
    Inventor: Jean Favreau
  • Patent number: 4598431
    Abstract: A sanitary cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning water discharger and an additional apparatus (such as a drier) having a sanitary function, and a set of switches operatively connected to the cleaning water discharger and the additional apparatus, respectively. When a switch is manually operated, a first setting control sets the energization amount of the cleaning water discharger and/or the additional apparatus to a first set value. When a second setting control is manually operated, the energization amount is changed to a second set value set by the second setting control. When a human body detector is turned off, the energization amount is returned from the second value to the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nagai, Hirofumi Aoyagi, Ichiro Nasu, Shinichi Watanabe