Abstract: A vacuum transport system suited to moving FOG-laden water. The system includes a first reservoir and at least one vacuum pump in fluid communication with the first reservoir and operable to produce a vacuum within the first reservoir. A first accumulator is positioned to collect FOG-laden water from a first FOG-laden water source. A first valve is operable to selectively provide fluid communication between the first accumulator and the first reservoir. FOG-laden water can be drained from the first reservoir into a grease interceptor disposed in the building exterior.

Abstract: An antifreeze heating system which prevents the freezing of water present in an instant water heater of the type having a primary heater which remains inactive under static flow conditions. A secondary heater is placed within an enclosed housing volume of the instant water heater, and electrically connected to a temperature-sensitive switch which activates the secondary heater when a monitored temperature, such as the ambient temperature, falls below a threshold value.

Abstract: A stainless steel toilet resistant to corrosion by sea water. The toilet has a toilet bowl portion which is butt-welded to a rim. The welding is carried out while the inside surface of the weld line is flushed with argon gas. Similarly, a P-trap is butt-welded to an exit opening at the bottom of the bowl portion. A flush ring assembly is supported below the rim member. The result is a toilet which can be operated with sea water without corrosion for a period of years.

Abstract: An activator valve for providing a time temporary vacuum at an output port which is normally at atmospheric pressure. The timed vacuum is provided in response to an increase in air pressure in an interruptible vacuum chamber, such as that by briefly opening the valve between the outside of the valve and the interruptible vacuum chamber. When this pressure increases, a diaphragm holding a magnet moves downwardly attracting a ferro-magnetic disk upwardly. The ferro-magnetic disk opens a valve between the output port and a main vacuum source port. This causes a vacuum to be drawn at the output port, which in turn operates a remote device which the activator valve is controlling. When the source of outside air to the interruptible vacuum chamber is closed the outside air is then drawn from the interruptible vacuum chamber, causing the magnet to once again rise and release the ferro-magnetic member, closing the valve between the main source of vacuum and the output port.

Abstract: A toilet seat cover assembly for use as a combination toilet seat cover and auxiliary bathroom seat with self-positioning, retractable backrest. The assembly includes a cover which is hinged to either the toilet or a housing structure positioned on either side of the toilet. A backrest having a base portion and an adjoining upright portion is hinged to the cover at the base portion such that when the cover is raised from a closed position to an open position, the backrest pivots with the cover until it contacts a stopper. At such point, and as the cover is continuously raised, the stopper urges the backrest to hinge separately from the cover and to retract in a compact manner.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture in combination with means for preventing overflow from a toilet bowl having a P-trap when an obstruction is created in the waste outlet thereof, such plumbing fixture including a blow-out jet pipe, the entrance of the pipe being coupled in fluid communication with the water supply pipe connected to the toilet bowl at the upper portion thereof and the outlet of the pipe coupled in fluid communication with the P-trap of the toilet bowl of the plumbing fixture, comprising: a toilet bowl having a water supply pipe operably coupled therewith; an electrically-controlled flushing valve operably associated with the supply pipe for controlling the flow of water to the toilet bowl; a source of electricity for operating the valve; electrical switch means operably associated with the source of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity to the valve for actuation thereof; an insulated electrical probe mounted in the water supply pipe; said electri

Abstract: A plumbing fixture with a toilet bowl having a P-trap with means for inhibiting overflow from the toilet bowl when an obstruction exists in the waste outlet thereof, comprising: a tolet bowl having a flushing rim thereabout adapted to be coupled to a water supply pipe; an electrically controlled flushing valve for controlling the flow of water in the water supply pipe; a source of electricity for operating the flushing valve; a switch for controlling the flow of electricity to the flushing valve; a blow-out jet pipe coupled to the P-trap and adapted to be coupled to the water supply pipe; a hollow adapter having at least four openings thereinto wherein one opening is coupled to a water supply pipe, one opening is coupled to the blow-out jet pipe, and one opening is coupled to the flushing rim so that when water resides therein water also resides in the adapter via the opening coupled to the flushing rim, said adapter having a weir therein dividing the openings coupled to the water supply pipe and the blow-out

Abstract: An improved apparatus for securing, in fluid sealing relationship, the waste outlet of a plumbing fixture to a waste receiving pipe extending through and beyond a mounting structure, such as a wall or a floor, the waste receiving pipe having a radially-extending flange about one end thereof with a plurality of open portions therein for receiving headed fasteners, and the waste outlet of the plumbing fixture extending into the waste receiving pipe, including: an annular fluid sealing gasket with a series of apertures therethrough, one side of which is disposed in intimate contact with the flange of the waste receiving pipe; gasket support means for supporting the other side of the gasket and having a series of apertures therein alignable with the apertures in the gasket, the gasket support means slideably disposed in fluid-sealing relationship about the waste outlet of the plumbing fixture adjacent the end thereof; head fastening means for securing the flange of the waste receiving pipe to the gasket support m