Patents Examined by Huyen Le
  • Patent number: 10219659
    Abstract: An inclining toilet-seat lift is an apparatus that aids and supports a user while transitioning from a standing position to a sitting position, and vice versa, in order to relieve himself or herself. The apparatus includes a U-shaped base, a plurality of supporting legs, a platform, a posterior-bracing plate, an excrement-receiving hole, and a lifting mechanism. The U-shaped base upholds the plurality of supporting legs and the lifting mechanism. The plurality of supporting legs upholds the platform and the posterior-bracing plate. The platform supports and mounts the posterior-bracing plate, which rotates about a first edge of the platform and supports a user as the user sits down and stands up. The excrement-receiving hole allows a toilet or a bucket to collect excrement without the excrement coming into contact with the platform and the posterior-bracing plate. The lifting mechanism lowers and raises the posterior-bracing plate onto and from the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Joe Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10221548
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disposal of liquid and food into a sink basin. The disclosed system cooperates with and delivers the received waste material to the main waste system on-board the vehicle. This is typically an aircraft waste tank. The system does not require a manual flush, but includes a sensor system that activates drainage of the holding line when the liquid and/or other waste material reaches a certain level therein. The disclosed system combines the functionalities of a common galley sink and a galley waste disposal unit, but occupies only the space envelope of an existing galley sink. The use of an existing galley sink means that no additional space on the countertop is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Joerg Stachowski, Razmik B. Boodaghians, Timothy Morse, Christina Ortolan
  • Patent number: 10208469
    Abstract: Sterilizing device for a toilet that includes an ozone generator and an impelling device fluidically connected to the ozone generator that allows discharging the ozone generated into the flush water of the toilet. A controller controls generating the ozone and discharging the ozone into the flush water. A sensor detects the presence or the actuation of a user, the sensor being communicated with the controller. The controller controls the ozone generator depending on a signal received from the sensor. The sterilizing device also includes an ion plasma generator for discharging ion plasma directly into the air adjacent the toilet. The ion plasma generator being controlled by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: AERO ENGINEERING, S.L.
    Inventors: Jose Luis Becerril Ruiz, David Hernandez Diaz, David Martos Ferreira
  • Patent number: 10206541
    Abstract: The apparatuses and methods of making and using the same are directed to bathing apparatus to support an object while bathing the object with a fluid. The bathing apparatus may comprise a support assembly constituting a support structure of the apparatus; a support surface to support the object, the support surface supported by the support portion; and a fluid catch disposed on at least three sides of the support surface, the fluid catch serving as a basin for the fluid in such manner to contain the fluid separate from the support surface. The bathing apparatus may be used in combination with a support wall that includes a plurality of channels to hold household items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Marjory McCaffery
  • Patent number: 10202744
    Abstract: A system and a tool for clearing an obstructed pipe or drain is presented. The system comprises the tool and a housing. The tool comprises a plunger and a protective sleeve with a closed end. The plunger comprises a dowel shaped flexible portion and a dowel shaped rigid handle portion, the distal end of the rigid handle portion being fixedly attached to the proximate end of the flexible portion by a connection device. The protective sleeve is comprised of a water soluble material that is configured to conform to the shape of the dowel shaped flexible portion and at least a portion of the dowel shaped rigid handle portion when the flexible portion is inserted therein, the water soluble material being chemically formulated and mechanically formed to maintain watertight integrity when submerged in water. The housing is configured to store the plunger and the protective sleeve when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventors: Roy C. Patterson, Darla K Patterson
  • Patent number: 10201258
    Abstract: A toilet seat includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer includes a first wood board. The first layer has a first surface and a second surface. The second layer includes a flexible material. The second layer is coupled to the second surface of the first layer. The third layer includes a second wood board. The third layer is coupled to the second layer opposite the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Roger W. Murphy
  • Patent number: 10201253
    Abstract: A mounted back cleaning assembly for cleaning the back of a person includes a housing that comprises a front wall, a back wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends between the front and back walls. The perimeter wall has a top side, a bottom side, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. A plurality of mounts is attached to the back wall and removably attachable to a vertical surface such that the back wall is secured thereto. A back scrubber unit is mounted on the front wall and moves alternatingly between the first and second lateral walls when actuated. A plurality of water spouts is mounted to the housing and directed outwardly away from the front wall. A conduit is in fluid communication with the water spouts and fluidly coupled to a water supply. A soap dispenser is positioned in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: Prince Jackson
  • Patent number: 10201257
    Abstract: A lightweight portable outdoor toilet system configured to support a user while facing toward a tree or another fixed anchor point during a personal moment. The system can be used to hover directly over the ground or with a detachable pouch configured to support a single use liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: David Sandberg
  • Patent number: 10196803
    Abstract: Toilet basket (1) for receiving solid or gelled preparations having at least one container (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) for receiving at least one preparation (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), the container (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) positionable below the toilet rim so that flushing water can flow over it when the toilet is flushed, and at least one inlet opening (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and one outlet opening (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) shaped in the container wall (7) for the flushing water; a holder (2) for mounting the toilet basket (1) on the bowl rim; a flushing water distributing element (8) arranged and configured on the toilet basket (1) so that the flushing water distributing element (8) is impinged upon by flushing water upon flushing, and an equalized delivery of flushing water into the inlet opening (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the container (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Muehlhausen, Ralph Butter-Jentsch
  • Patent number: 10188245
    Abstract: A toilet inhibits an occupant from exiting the toilet. Sensors positioned on the toilet detect the application of pressure on the toilet by an occupant that is consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet, and/or movements of an occupant that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. The sensors cause an actuator to change the angle of the toilet seat, which inhibits exiting the toilet. The toilet may also be constructed to signal an attendant when actions by an occupant are consistent with actions indicating an attempt by the occupant to exit the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Rife, Leah Vining
  • Patent number: 10192462
    Abstract: A bath trainer is provided defined by a bucket having sides forming an interior water-tight space for holding water, said sides being configured to fold to a closed position when the bucket is not in use and unfold to an open position for receiving water; and a mat configured to be removably attached to said bucket. While the bucket is closed, other elements may be stored therein, such as a mug for pouring water and rising, a stool, bathing toys, etc. At least some portion of the bucket is made of a thermochromatic material that changes color with temperature so that a user can determine whether the water within the bucket is at an appropriate temperature for a child to take a bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Djimir Gouboth
  • Patent number: 10174488
    Abstract: A sink stopper may comprise an upper cap, a shaft, a pulling handle and a base. The base is configured to be installed in an upper portion of a pipe of a sink drain. Moreover, the base is adapted to cooperate with different sizes of gaskets to fit different sizes of pipes. The shaft has a first connecting section and a second connecting section to fit different sizes of connecting holes of a sink drain. Furthermore, the shaft has a tapered engaging section and a tightening section having the narrower diameter from top to bottom, so that, without external force, a C-shaped ring can firmly clamp on the engaging section or the tightening section, thereby preventing the upper cap from sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventor: Ta-Yu Yeh
  • Patent number: 10172503
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an intelligent closestool including a closestool stand, a closestool seat, a closestool lid, a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to sense whether there is an object approaching, or moving away from, the closestool stand, and in the case that there is an object approaching the closestool stand, detect a standing direction of the object relative to the closestool stand. The controller is configured to open/close the closestool lid in the case that the sensor has sensed that the object approaches/moves away from the closestool stand; flip the closestool seat up in the case that the sensor has sensed that the object faces the closestool stand, and flip the closestool seat down in the case that the sensor has sensed that the object turns his or her back to the closestool stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chuang Wei
  • Patent number: 10174491
    Abstract: A toilet bowl unit includes a toilet bowl with an inner toilet bowl surface having an upper peripheral portion, a central peripheral portion and a lower sump portion. A peripheral slot separates a lower edge of the upper peripheral portion from an upper edge of the central peripheral portion. A peripheral water channel is concealed inside the toilet bowl unit and has a side wall which is a weir over which water may flow into the peripheral slot. The slot has a discharge opening which is substantially horizontal at the rear and sides of the inner toilet bowl surface (for discharging a curtain of water) and includes at least one serpentine portion at the front of the inner toilet bowl surface (for discharging a jet of water). The horizontal portion(s) of the discharge opening are positioned just below a seat platform surface in order to minimize the unwashed area at the top of the inner toilet bowl surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: IDEAL STANDARD (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: John Mark Richard Pearson, Michael Ian Heaton
  • Patent number: 10167647
    Abstract: There is provided a structure for extending over a pool. The structure includes a first section secured to a second section at at least two locations. Each of the first section and the second section may include two longitudinal members joined by a set of transversally-disposed lateral members. Furthermore, the first section and the second section further includes a set of transparent members disposed in a longitudinal direction overtop the set of transversally-disposed lateral members. Furthermore, the set of transparent members form a continuous platform secured by a set of stops disposed at each end of the two longitudinal members. The first and second section may be secured using a set of bolts, pins, screws, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Laurinus Pierre
  • Patent number: 10159993
    Abstract: A shower head comprises a mounting base, a locating base hinged onto the mounting base, a handheld shower head detachably connected to the locating base and a main shower head connected to the locating base. The main shower head is annular or strip-shaped, and the main shower head can surround the outside of the handheld shower head and jointly form a top shower head with the handheld shower head. The main shower head is rotatably connected to the locating base, to adjust the included angle between the water spraying surface of the main shower head and the water spraying surface of the handheld shower head. There is an access clearance between the inner recessed rim of the main shower head and the outer rim of the handheld shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Zhejiang Huale Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hongxin Lin
  • Patent number: 10161123
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a unique ventilated toilet assembly. The toilet assembly includes a base with a central opening, the opening defining a toilet bowl. The toilet assembly includes a first annular ring above the base, the first annular ring having means for delivering water to the toilet bowl and a second annular ring surrounding the first annular ring. The second annular ring having side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, the walls defining a conduit for exhausting air through the second annular ring and the second annular ring having exhaust ports for exhausting air from the toilet bowl. The ventilation member includes the combination of the second annular ring, the conduit, and the exhaust port for exhausting air working cooperatively to capture and remove waste air from the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Donald Campbell
  • Patent number: 10151095
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to improved water closet flanges and methods for installing such water closet flanges. In one exemplary embodiment, an improved water closet flange apparatus includes an outer flange and a flexible conduit portion (i.e. sleeve) extending downwardly therefrom. The flexible sleeve has a sufficient degree of flexibility to accommodate connection between offset, misaligned, angled, or otherwise incongruous plumbing fixture discharges and waste drain pipe outlets. In one embodiment, the flexible sleeve includes at least one corrugated portion to aid the desired flexibility. An upper portion of the flexible sleeve may include an inwardly extending lip portion to accommodate the desired seal between the plumbing fixture discharge and the flange apparatus. Related methods for installing the disclosed flange apparatus between plumbing fixture discharges and waste drainpipes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Coflex S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Eduardo Coronado, Jorge Sada
  • Patent number: 10145379
    Abstract: An exhaust fan assembly, powered by solar energy, that is specially designed for use with portable toilets as well as other small, enclosed spaces. Design intent is to provide a convenient, energy efficient means of keeping these units ventilated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Martin, Jr., Kathryn Louise Martin
  • Patent number: 10136776
    Abstract: A toilet apparatus according to an embodiment includes a human body detector and a controlled part. The toilet apparatus is mounted to a toilet. The human body detector radiates a radio wave and detects a human body based on the signal that is obtained. The human body detector outputs a control signal based on the detection result. The controlled part is controlled based on the control signal. The human body detector has two or more establishment times from when the signal is obtained until when the detection result based on the signal is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Tanogashira, Shoichi Tsuiki