Methods Patents (Class 4/DIG9)
  • Patent number: 5819326
    Abstract: In connecting a flushing port (2) of a toilet stool (1) which is formed so as to face the floor surface to which the toilet stool (1) is installed to a drainpipe (3) of the building, the connection is made by means of a flushing-side connecting pipe (6) which connects to the flushing port (2), a drain-side connecting pipe (7) which connects to the drainpipe (3), and a linking pipe (8) which makes connection between the above-noted two pipes. In making the pipe connections, the linking pipe (8) is cut off in accordance with the distance between the flushing port (2) and the drainpipe (3) or pipe insertion overlap can be used to adjust the length of the linking pipe (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kobayashi, Makoto Watanabe, Hiroshi Okada, Hiroshi Tanaka, Toshiaki Kayahara, Katsuyuki Suehiro, Masaya Soh, Hideshi Yamamoto, Kenichi Ogata
  • Patent number: 5611088
    Abstract: Method and device for disinfecting a flush toilet. The device is an electrocell mounted in the tank of the toilet, with two wire mesh electrodes immersed in the water in the tank and a battery applying approximately one to two volts of electric potential to the electrodes so that they chemically reduce a portion of the water in the tank to hydrogen peroxide. Then, when the tank is flushed, the peroxide is carried into the bowl where it can kill bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Amy C. Almon
  • Patent number: 5535770
    Abstract: A vacuum sewer system comprises a liquid-driven ejector, the working medium of which is fed to the ejector by a circulation pump from a sewage collecting container, the suction side of the ejector being connected via a check valve to a vacuum sewer network. Air and sewage delivered through the sewer network flow through the ejector into the collecting container. The bore of the discharge pipe of the ejector is substantially cylindrical throughout. Its length is 8 to 20, preferably 10 to 15, times the diameter of its bore and the pipe discharges directly into the open interior of the collecting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: EVAC AB
    Inventor: Pekka Nurmi
  • Patent number: 5465749
    Abstract: A top mounted valve assembly having a block member with a hinged arm which is fitted through from the top of a supporting surface and actuated by a threaded actuating member. As the actuating member is turned in one direction, the hinged arm engages the underside of the supporting surface. To disengage the faucet, the actuating member is turned in the opposite direction which permits removal. Both single and dual handle faucets can be top mounted by the mounting assembly disclosed herein. An aesthetically appearing faucet results wherein the actuating mechanism is hidden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Sterling Plumbing Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Sauter, Kevin G. Short, Peter P. Beltemacchi
  • Patent number: 5165457
    Abstract: A vacuum sewer arrangement comprises a valve controlled air inlet duct to let air into the vacuum sewer at a position downstream of the sewer valve. The sewer valve can then be closed immediately after the sewage has passed into the vacuum sewer, because the air required for the sewage transport is received from the air inlet duct. Hence, the amount of air that flows into the sewer through the sewer valve when the sewer valve opens is small, and when the sewer valve is closed, air flows through the air inlet duct into the sewer, which reduces the pressure difference acting on the sewer valve. These measures tend to considerably reduce the noise level. In the case of a vacuum toilet sewer arrangement, the noise level can be further reduced by providing the toilet bowl with a lid forming a substantially airtight and soundproof closure at the top of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Oy Wartsila AB
    Inventors: Henry Olin, Gunnar Lindroos, Sven Oldfelt
  • Patent number: 5116543
    Abstract: A whole body cleansing agent for bathing with a small quantity of water in microgravity conditions which consists essentially of a paste comprising an acyltaurate, a skin conditioner, a hair conditioner, and a preservative. Also disclosed is a method of bathing with a small quantity of water which includes the steps of wetting the skin and hair with a small quantity of water, lathering the skin with the paste, rinsing the lather from the skin and hair with a small quantity of water to produce a rinse water containing the cleansing agent, defoaming the rinse water and supplying the defoamed rinse water to a water reclamation unit for recycle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 5040249
    Abstract: A portable, collapsible toilet with a central, main section of box-like construction, which is made of corrugated cardboard, which central section is open both on the top and bottom, and accepts therein a disposable, plastic bag which receives the human waste products. The central section is flanked on either side thereof by a small, box-like supportive end-section upon which one directly sits during use of the commode. Each box-like end-section is also made of corrugated cardboard, is open on the top and bottom, and has an intermediate stiffening member to enhance its structural integrity, in order to support greater weight thereon. The central section is provided with a pair of pivotal cover-members formed integrally with the upper edge surfaces of the central section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventor: Richard Diaz
  • Patent number: 5018224
    Abstract: A stackable self-aligning and self-sealing plastic spacer for extending a soil pipe flange to floor level to meet a toilet fixture has a ring-shaped spacer with a tapered inner collar protruding from its surface. The collar is received within the similarly tapered central opening of the next adjoining spacer. The spacers are made of resilient plastic to provide a wedging fit that seals the joint against leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: B. Eugene Hodges
  • Patent number: 4942632
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for collection of fecal matter designed to operate efficiently in a zero gravity environment. The system comprises a waste collection area within a body having a seat opening. Low pressure within the waste collection area directs fecal matter away from the user's buttocks and prevents the escape of undesirable gases. The user actuates a piston covered with an absorbent pad that sweeps through the waste collection area to collect fecal matter, scrub the waste collector area, press the waste against an end of the waste collection area and retracts, leaving the used pad. Multiple pads are provided on the piston to accommodate multiple uses of the system. Also a valve allows air to be drawn through the body, which valve will not be plugged with fecal matter. A sheet feeder feeds fresh sheets of absorbent pad to a face of the piston with each actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William E. Thornton, Jr., Henry B. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 4940113
    Abstract: Toilet bowls made of porcelain are conventionally disposed directly on the floor and/or attached thereto through rigid connections. When the toilet is used, acoustic vibratons are therefore transmitted from the bowl to the floor and spread all over the dwelling. In the case of a multiple unit residential building, the acoustic vibrations even reach the surrounding residential units and disturb their occupants. To overcome this drawback, the acoustically insulating method proposes to insert a strip of rubber foam between the base of the bowl and the floor and to attach the toilet bowl to the floor through a pair of fasteners each including a rubber link, whereby no acoustic short circuit is established between the bowl and floor to thereby considerably reduce the transmission of acoustic vibrations to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Ghislain L'Heureux
  • Patent number: 4938825
    Abstract: A laminated article, for example a bath or shower-tray, is manufactured by providing a preformed shell, for example a thermoformed acrylic sheet, which shell is placed in a mould, together with, if required, a reinforcing board, for example of chipboard or plywood. The mould is then closed and materials are injected into the mould cavity which react to form a reinforcing layer on the shell. Preferably, the injected materials comprise a polyol reactant and an isocyanate reactant which form a layer of rigid polyurethane foam. A reinforcing agent, for example glass fibre, and a blowing agent may also be introduced into the mould cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Armitage Shanks Limited
    Inventor: Keith M. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 4828709
    Abstract: A recirculating shower is especially adapted for showering a person's body with a relatively small supply of water. Before it is directed into the shower stall, the water is first recirculated through an alternate series loop pathway and concurrently cleaned and filtered as well as being heated to a desired temperature level. During the showering of the person's body the water continues to be recirculated, cleaned, filtered, and heated. When the showering is completed, the water is again directed through the alternate pathway for further cleaning and filtering, in preparation for a subsequent re-usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventors: Jack L. Houser, John Pawlak
  • Patent number: 4760614
    Abstract: A device for displacing or washing out blockages in pipe systems. The device has a central tube which can be closed with a gate valve which thereby isolates the pipe above and below the device. Fluid under pressure is introduced through a three way valve that can be positioned to direct the flow of fluid into the isolated chamber above the gate valve if that is where the blockage is or below the gate valve if the blockage is there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: C. L. Scott Harrison
  • Patent number: 4605534
    Abstract: A process for detecting the depletion of a cleaning and disinfecting ingredient in a solution such as the water present in a toilet tank and bowl. A solid composition comprising a color indicator in a matrix is located in the solution along with the ingredient. The porosity of the solid composition is maintained within limits to provide a means for controlling the rate of release of the color indicator into the solution. The cleaning and disinfecting ingredient has a bleaching tendency relative to the color indicator so that a display of color is minimal or non-existent for as long as significant amounts of the ingredient are present. The color indicator is provided in sufficient amounts so that, when considering the controlled rate of release, there will be continued release of color indicator after depletion of the ingredient. This will then provide a substantial display of color whereby depletion of the ingredient can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Twinoak Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert K. Meloy
  • Patent number: 4587069
    Abstract: A process for producing a color display means of the type used for detecting the depletion of a cleaning and disinfecting ingredient in a solution such as the water present in a toilet tank and bowl. The display means comprises a solid composition which includes a color indicator in a matrix, and this composition is located in the solution along with the cleaning and disinfecting ingredient. The cleaning and disinfecting ingredient has a bleaching tendency relative to the color indicator so that a display of color is minimal or non-existent for as long as significant amounts of the ingredient are present. The color indicator will, however, provide a substantial display of color after depletion of the ingredient whereby depletion of the ingredient can be detected. The porosity of the solid composition is maintained within limits to provide a means for controlling the rate of release of the color indicator into the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Twinoak Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert K. Meloy
  • Patent number: 4563781
    Abstract: A method of disinfecting the circulating system of a whirlpool bath tub installation comprising blanking off or capping a nozzle or nozzles of the bath tub in such manner that a circulating pump and the nozzle(s) together with associated pipework form a closed path. A small supply of disinfecting solution is connected through a valve to the closed path around which the disinfectant solution is circulated by the pump during a disinfection period in order to disinfect the pump, nozzle(s) and associated pipework. A whirlpool bath tub which incorporates a nozzle or nozzles which can be blanked off or capped, thereby providing a closed path and allowing disinfection thereof, by the foregoing method. A whirlpool bath tub installation comprises a tub, nozzles which can be capped, and a disinfectant supply tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: James Industries Limited
    Inventor: David R. James
  • Patent number: 4384910
    Abstract: An improved method for extending a soil pipe flange to floor level by attaching thereto an improved extension device. An extension collar is positioned over a soil pipe flange on which a bead of mastic has been applied. The extension collar, which is made from a flexible material and has multiple attachment slots, is secured to the soil pipe flange by upward extending bolts, and bolt hardware. A wax ring is positioned above the extension collar at floor level. This extended flange facilitates attachment of a toilet fixture to the soil pipe. The method includes techniques for adding multiple extension collars and thus, if required, further extending the soil pipe flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Inventor: Timothy J. Prodyma
  • Patent number: 4368550
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described which makes it relatively easy for a swimming pool owner to economically and efficiently winterize a swimming pool. A one-way valve is initially connected between the swimming pool and the recirculating water return line. The valve allows water to flow out of the return line but not in the opposite direction. A sealing plate is then placed over the intake throat of to the skimmer. It is then possible to purge the return line by blowing it out from the pump end. The skimmer intake line can similarly be purged by blowing it out from the skimmer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Inventor: Gunther A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4353866
    Abstract: A method of bleaching of certain triarylmethane dyes in aqueous systems with low concentration of hypochlorite ion, activated by the presence of bromide ion and ammonium ions. The method is particularly useful in providing a disappearing color signal in the automatic cleaning and sanitizing of toilet bowls with low concentrations of hypochlorite. Compositions and articles for implementing the practice of the method in the automatic cleaning and sanitizing of toilet bowls are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Louis F. Wong
  • Patent number: 4347142
    Abstract: The method of treating human waste in a toilet system for disposal of the waste and recovery of the flushing liquid comprising reducing the solid matter in the effluent by hydraulic attrition in substantially one and a half liters of water containing an effective amount of decontaminant to a particle size which ranges from 1/8 inch to 1/2 micron and in which the solid matter in excess of 1/64 of an inch does not exceed more than 18% of the total solid matter, filtering the solid matter from the water and employing the filtered water following each flushing operation for a succeeding flushing of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: International Water Saving Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Albertassi, Walter O. Heinze, Aaron Landsman
  • Patent number: 4308625
    Abstract: Article used in a method for sanitizing toilets wherein a hypochlorite sanitizing agent and an oxidizable dye are dispensed from separate dispensing means into the toilet flush water to provide a color to the bowl water. The color disappears within a short time after the flush, thereby providing a visual indicator of the activity of the sanitizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: David J. Kitko
  • Patent number: 4253950
    Abstract: A process is described for cleaning water containing devices, for example, conventional home flush toilet bowls. Dibasic magnesium hypochlorite is dissolved in the water in the flush tank and thereafter delivered to the bowl when the toilet is flushed. This technique minimizes the deposition of scale on the toilet flush tank and the toilet bowl surface in contact with the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Wojtowicz
  • Patent number: 4249274
    Abstract: A method and article for sanitizing toilets wherein a hypochlorite sanitizing agent and a dye selected from the group consisting of FD & C Blue No. 1 and FD & C Green No. 3 are dispensed from separate dispensing means into the toilet flush water. The dye is resistant to attack by the hypochlorite and therefore provides an aesthetically pleasing color to the bowl water during the time period between flushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: David J. Kitko
  • Patent number: 4248827
    Abstract: A method for sanitizing toilets wherein a hypochlorite sanitizing agent and an oxidizable dye are dispensed from separate dispensing means into the toilet flush water to provide a color to the bowl water. The color disappears within a short time after the flush, thereby providing a visual indicator of the activity of the sanitizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: David J. Kitko
  • Patent number: 4218786
    Abstract: A primer is disclosed for installation in a floor drain water trap located in a lower position relative to a sink drain and sink water trap. A first fitting is disposed upstream of the floor drain water trap. A second fitting is disposed in the sink drain upstream of the sink water trap. A conduit interconnects the first and second fittings to direct waste water from the sink drain to the floor drain water trap thereby maintaining the water level therein to insure a proper seal in the floor drain water trap. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Inventor: Joseph Taglarino
  • Patent number: 4200606
    Abstract: A method for sanitizing toilets wherein a hypochlorite sanitizing agent and a dye selected from the group consisting of FD & C Blue No. 1 and FD & C No. 3 are dispensed from separate dispensing means into the toilet flush water. The dye is resistant to attack by the hypochlorite and therefore provides an aesthetically pleasing color to the bowl water during the time period between flushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: David J. Kitko