Patents Examined by Charles E. Phillips
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Patent number: 7552485Abstract: A toilet seat gripping apparatus includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side, a forward edge and a rear edge. The rear edge is concavely arcuate between opposite ends of the rear edge. The rear edge is contoured to an outer edge of a toilet seat. A pair of gripping members is provided. Each of the gripping members is coupled to the panel and releasably couples the panel to the toilet seat. The panel extends outwardly from the outer edge of the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Inventor: Willie E. Harrison, Jr.
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Patent number: 7424752Abstract: A toilet system comprising: a cistern for containing flush water; a toilet having a bowl, the bowl having one or more apertures which are in fluid communication with a water intake aperture of the toilet and through which flush water flows when the toilet is flushed; a conduit for transporting flush water from the cistern to the water intake aperture; and a gas removal device positioned around the conduit and defining an inner aperture through which the conduit passes, there being a peripheral space between the exterior of the conduit and an inner surface of the inner aperture, and the gas removal device being operable to suck gas into the device through the inner surface of the inner aperture.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Odourbuster LimitedInventor: Peter Antoniou
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Patent number: 7424754Abstract: A molded tub and surround which is formed of a multiple of portions. Wall portions meet a tub portion at a joint with a retaining ledge which extends inward toward a tub bowl from a flange. A ledge interface within the bottom of the wall portions engages the ledge. An angled interface surface is located directly in front of the ledge and slopes downward toward the bowl. A shallow interface within the bottom of the wall portions engages the angled interface surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Aqua Glass CorporationInventors: Scott Ingram, Brent Thomas
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Patent number: 7418744Abstract: A float with a mesh over it floats on the surface of the water in a toilet bowl. The float is preferably toroidal and the mesh is held by the toroid by a distance above the water in the toilet. The toroidal float is preferably circular or tear drop shaped in cross section. The float and mesh arrangement reduces the noise created by a urine stream directed into the water in the toilet bowl.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Inventor: Eugene A. Smitherman
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Patent number: 7409731Abstract: A potty training assembly includes a flexible disposable and water-insoluble body that is adaptable between a bowl and a folded shape. The body includes a top fluid-absorbent layer and a bottom fluid-impermeable layer, which are coextensively shaped and lay contiguously against each other. The body has a top lip flanging outwardly and away from a center thereof and has a linear slit formed therein so the body can bifurcate into first and second portions. A mechanism is included for crystallizing human discharged fluids such that the fluids remain trapped within the top layer. A mechanism is included for securing the first and second portions to each other such that the first and second edges can become coupled. The adjustably securing mechanism is permanently affixed to the top lip of the body. A support bench includes an annular cavity formed therein. The body is removably seated within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Inventors: Jennifer G. Arteaga, Sabrina Marie Arteaga
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Patent number: 7398563Abstract: A toilet seat structure including a toilet seat, a link, a pedal and a fixing plate can be lifted up through the pedal. The toilet seat is connected to one end of the link. The other end of the link is pivoted on the pedal. A middle of a bottom surface of the pedal is mounted with the fixing plate. Stamping the pedal can raise the other end to move the link and push the toilet seat to rotate upward according to the connection structure. When the pedal is loosened, the toilet seat automatically restores to be horizontally placed on a toilet bowl to make the link and the pedal restore. Thus, the cleanliness and sanitation of the toilet seat can be kept, and the position of the toilet seat can be conveniently changed by the stamping foot.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Inventor: Yung-Chung Chen
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Patent number: 7392550Abstract: A muffling apparatus capable of attaining the prevention of the occurrence of a noise reliably while making concrete the reduction of the manufacturing cost and the easiness of the assembling of the same apparatus, and a feed water apparatus having such a muffling effect are provided. The muffling apparatus 2 is an apparatus connected to a jet pipe 1 adapted to send out the water, which flows in a feed water passage 1a in the interior thereof, into storage water W.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Inax CorporationInventors: Koji Miwa, Kenichi Ito
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Patent number: 7392553Abstract: The present invention provides an overflow drain assembly for a sanitary vessel, wherein the vessel includes a bottom surface and at least one side surface depending therefrom, such that the surfaces together define a reservoir for receipt and storage of fluid thereby and at least one ledge is provided along at least a portion of at least one vessel side surface. The overflow drain assembly comprises a fastening plate having an envelope with a top surface and a bottom surface defining a generally planar body that lies proximate the vessel ledge, and a tarp portion depending curvilinearly therefrom. The tarp portion has a generally planar bottom surface disposed adjacent at least a portion of at least one vessel side surface so as to define a fluid egress therebetween for delivery of fluid from the vessel reservoir to a waste conduit in fluid communication therewith.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: AS IP Holdco, LLCInventors: Gary Uhl, Vincent F. Rotella
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Patent number: 7389549Abstract: Disclosed is a hinge assembly for connecting a toilet seat and cover to a rearward extension behind a toilet bowl. Two base members are permanently affixed to the extension in spaced fashion. Two hinge support members are provided to snap connect to the base members by virtue of flexible tabs on the base members interconnecting with side wall holes on the hinge supports. The hinge supports, seat and cover can be removed from the extension by squeezing the sides of the hinge support members, leaving only the bases attached to the extension. This facilitates cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Erich C. Vierkant, III
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Patent number: 7383594Abstract: A toilet overflow prevention system is provided and is incorporated with an otherwise standard toilet wherein the toilet bowl thereof is incorporated with an overflow inlet portal defined as a generally circular opening integrally formed within the left side of the concave inner wall of the toilet bowl. The overflow inlet portal provides passage to an auxiliary waste drain outlet which extends downward through toilet bowl frontal to the primary waste discharge pipe, and through the stool portion of the standard toilet, under which connection is made to an auxiliary waste outlet piping being in fluid communication with the primary waste discharge pipe. A reticulated grate element is mounted transversely atop the circular opening in order to trap debris contained within toilet bowl so as to facilitate ascension and discharge of water through auxiliary waste drain outlet, hence preventing unpleasant overflow.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Inventors: Chris Giesken, Amy Giesken
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Patent number: 7383593Abstract: A toilet assembly is provided having a bowl assembly, a fragmentation passage, a jet assembly, and a water system. The bowl assembly has a wastewater inlet and a waste water outlet. The fragmentation passage has a passage, an inlet, and an outlet. The fragmentation inlet and outlet are each in fluid communication with the passage. The passage has an upper portion, that is above a water line, and a lower portion, that is below a water line. The fragmentation inlet coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the bowl assembly waste outlet. The jet assembly has an inlet and an outlet. The jet assembly is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the passage lower portion. The water system is coupled to and in fluid communication with the bowl assembly and the jet assembly. The water system is structured to deliver a quantity of water to the bowl assembly and the jet assembly and to remove wastewater from the fragmentation passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Wabtec Holding CorporationInventor: Charles O. Campbell
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Patent number: 7376982Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses a venting apparatus for a toilet bowl 12 using a gasket 18 that is positioned between a toilet seat 14 and toilet bowl rim 16 forming a gasket-like seal therebetween. The toilet bowl gasket 18 is comprised of a pliable oval-like housing having an interior cavity 20 therein. Located remotely to the venting apparatus is a motorized exhaust fan 22 connected to conduit 24 extending between the toilet seat venting apparatus and discharge vent 26. The exterior walls have a plurality of apertures 28, 30 therein serving to draw air from the toilet bowl 12 and exterior ambient air through the cavity 20 to an aperture having an exteriorly extending nipple 32 with the aforementioned conduit attached thereto whereby activating the pump 22 causes air to be drawn into the cavity 20 and discharged at the point of discharge 26.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Inventor: Vance Pencheon
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Patent number: 7367066Abstract: A pivotally adjustable toilet lid lifting apparatus, comprising a base with spring resisted pedal, the pedal operating a substantially semicircular adjustably positioned pivot arm, the pivot arm connected to an adjustably removable and reversible actuation arm, the actuation arm removably and slideably engaging a toilet lid, whereby pedal pressure lifts the toilet lid and release of the pressure provides lid closure. The actuation arm is removable and reversible to provide for using the invention on either side of a toilet.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Inventor: Delroy A. Reid
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Patent number: 7367067Abstract: A warm bath apparatus for safely and comfortably warming a part of a user's body such as feet and hands by use of a previously prepared mixture of air and heated liquid particles such as steam is provided. This apparatus comprises a housing having a warm bath room, a tank for storing a liquid, a heater for heating the liquid to provide heated liquid particles, a mixing room separately formed from the warm bath room in the housing to mix the heated liquid particles with air; and a supply port for supplying a resultant mixture of the heated liquid particle and the air provided from the mixing room into the warm bath room According to this apparatus, it is possible to provide a warm bath therapy effect to the user suffering from sensitivity to cold with a high degree of satisfaction.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Shunichi Watanabe, Shigenori Kugumiya, Shingo Ohmura
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Patent number: 7363661Abstract: A portable urinal comprises an upper pan and a lower pan, the pans being joined together to create a liquid receiving cavity. The upper pan has an upper surface which may be ovate shaped like a conventional toilet seat. A funnel in the approximate center of the upper pan empties through a small tube into the cavity. The side of the funnel to the front of the urinal is sloped more gently than the remaining sides of the funnel. The urinal has a relatively low profile, allowing it to be slipped easily between a user and a seat, such as in a car or in an airplane. After a user voids into the urinal, the small size of the tube helps prevent urine from escaping from the cavity. When the urinal is upside-down or on its side, for example, urine pools away from the funnel opening. A capable drain spout is provided for emptying the cavity of fluid when it is so desired.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Inventor: Stanley Alan Myers
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Patent number: 7360259Abstract: A toilet system includes a bowl having an inner space partitioned by a divider into a front and a rear guide way, which are connected to a front and a rear waste pipe, respectively, and the divider defining a front and a rear slope; a vacuum sucker connected at an upper end to the rear waste pipe; and a waste collecting bag connected to a lower end of the vacuum sucker. Excreted urine falls onto the front slope of the divider to flow through the front guide way into the front waste pipe, and is treated and discharged; and excreted stools fall onto the rear slope of the divider and are sucked by the vacuum sucker to move through the rear guide way and the rear waste pipe into the waste collecting bag, which is then removed, frozen, and stored for incinerating or using as fertilizer or fuel later.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Inventor: Tien Chan
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Patent number: 7353549Abstract: An interactive toilet seat provides a target for a urine stream from a user. A user will direct their stream of urine at a target which is suspended in the bowl of a toilet. This target is in communication with a control circuit which is in turn communicating with an electronic display. The display is set to display various indicators, entreaties, goads or comparisons which enhances the use of the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Inventor: David Neal Muir, Jr.
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Patent number: 7346937Abstract: The bathtub/hot tub is positioned in an opening in the wall of a house. The opening has the same shape as the plan view of the bathtub/hot tub. For a circular bathtub/hot tub, the opening is semicircular. A movable cover in the form of a quarter hollow sphere is pivoted to move from the position where it covers the outer half of the bathtub/hot tub while leaving the inner half inside the house wall accessible. It is movable to an inner position where it seals against the inner portion of the bathtub/hot tub and against the opening in the house wall to leave the bathtub/hot tub accessible from outside of the wall. In either case, the inside of the house is closed against the outside ambient conditions.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Inventor: Donna M. Pollack
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Patent number: 7334271Abstract: An improved toilet seat lifter is provided by a hands-free toilet seat control for controlling the positions of the toilet seat comprising a safety ratchet pedal connected to a gear/wheel unit which transmits the transitional or rotational ratchet movements of the pedal into an amplified circular push and pull of a control rod connected to the toilet seat via universal joints. The swivel control bar moved by the floor level pedal characterizes the toilet seat control of an embodiment of the present invention. The gear/wheel unit is rotated in a single direction to push and pull the control rod while counteracting the gravity fall of the seat to keep control. The simple but positive transmission of the transitional or rotational ratchet movements to the control rod allows for a power-assisted actuation of the gear/wheel unit and thus the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Inventor: Man-Young Jung
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Patent number: 7334273Abstract: A portable collapsible potty has a seat that is supported on two wide hinged legs fitted with lever handles to effect a simple one step deployment of the unit into ready-for-use position. When collapsed, the unit may be contained in a decorative shell that disguises the function of the potty, presenting to the world the appearance of a purse or briefcase.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Inventor: Annie L. Thomas