Patents Examined by Huyen Le
  • Patent number: 10137988
    Abstract: A toilet system that includes a waste receptacle including an outlet configured to channel waste therethrough. The system also includes a conveyor assembly including a housing that includes an inlet and at least one outlet. The inlet is coupled in flow communication with the outlet of the waste receptacle. The conveyor assembly also includes a transport mechanism positioned within the housing, and the transport mechanism is operable to actively transport the waste from the inlet towards the at least one outlet of said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William Anthony Harkness
  • Patent number: 10138624
    Abstract: The present invention is an actuation apparatus that is adapted such that when a water level sensor senses water at above a predetermined level by means of a float of a float valve “floating” or rising to a predetermined level based on a corresponding increase in a water level, a diaphragm valve “turns on” or repositions such that water is allowed to flow from a pressurized water source to an actuator and the actuator actuates. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with a toilet having auxiliary discharge path and valve in preventing the toilet from overflowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: A. Shane Alcorn
  • Patent number: 10132066
    Abstract: A tubular strainer having a wall defining interior and exterior surfaces, and a first flange on the upper end of the wall, a tubular insert having a cylindrical wall sized for reception by the tubular strainer, and a second flange carried by the insert wall, an elastomeric seal having a tubular body fittingly sealingly carried by the insert cylindrical wall, the seal body configured for progressive compressive radial sealing engagement with the strainer wall interior surface when endwise inserted by the insert within said tubular strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: IPS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Oropallo, Anthony Oropallo
  • Patent number: 10125483
    Abstract: A sanitary washing device according to an embodiment includes a toilet seat, a main part, and a radio wave sensor. The toilet seat is provided on a toilet. The toilet seat is pivotally supported by the main part. When the toilet seat is closed, the user in front of the main part is detected by the radio wave sensor in a first region, and in a second region higher than the first region. When the toilet seat is open, the user in front of the main part is not detected in the first region by the radio wave sensor, but the user in front of the main part is detected in the second region by the radio wave sensor. The position of the radio wave sensor is not changed between the state in which the toilet seat is open and the state in which the toilet seat is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Shoichi Tsuiki, Yuta Tanogashira, Takeshi Yasugata, Kenichi Okamoto, Masami Tsujita
  • Patent number: 10124929
    Abstract: A storage caddy system includes a portable toilet that is selectively mounted for defecation and urination. The portable toilet has a frame and the frame has a pair of arm rests. A caddy is removably coupled to the portable toilet to contain toiletry items. The caddy is positioned on a selected one of the arm rests such that the caddy is accessible during defecation and urination. A box is positioned within the caddy and the box is elongated to accommodate a roll of toilet paper. A saddle is coupled to the caddy. The saddle receives the selected arm rest such that the caddy is removably retained on the selected arm rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Cara Michaux
  • Patent number: 10123669
    Abstract: A multi-purpose toilet footrest has a first foot platform, a second foot platform, and a receptacle interposed between the first and second foot platforms. A user places their legs on the foot platforms when using the toilet to place their body in a squatting position and may store or dispose items in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Squatty Potty, LLC
    Inventor: Judy M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 10123668
    Abstract: A portable toilet (100) comprises a reservoir (110), a reservoir cover (120) adjustably fixed on the top of the reservoir (110) and a drawer (210) inside the reservoir (110). Further, the reservoir cover (120) is having a hole (130), first cavity (140) and a second cavity (150). Further, the reservoir (110) is adapted to receive human waste from the hole (130) provided on the reservoir cover (120). Further, the drawer (210) contains a handle (220), the handle (210) is capable of moving in the first cavity (140) of the reservoir cover (120) and consequently move the drawer (210) inside the reservoir (110) from a first position to a second position. Further, the movement of the drawer (210) blocks a view of the human waste inside the reservoir (110) through the hole (130), while entering into a toilet cabin (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Franck Derenoncourt
  • Patent number: 10119256
    Abstract: A flexible drain line assembly for seamlessly connecting a sink to a waste line includes a tube that has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are configured to fluidically couple to a waste line and a tailpiece of a sink, respectively. The tube is configured to drain waste water from the sink to the waste line. The tube is flexible to position the first end proximate to the waste line and the second end proximate to the tailpiece. A section of the tube that is positioned proximate to the first end is configured to be curvedly bent below the waste line. A retainer is configured to couple to the tube to fixedly position the section of the tube to defines a trap. The trap is configured to retain liquid to deter passage of gas from the waste line to the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventors: Gordon P. Steffen, Madelyn R. Steffen
  • Patent number: 10107665
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toilet that includes a liquid level sensor on the surface of a flush jet fill tube. The liquid level sensor is a noncontact electrical impedance sensor that is an electrical capacitor. The capacitor may be used alone or with other volume sensors to detect volume of materials added to a toilet bowl. Some embodiments include a processor which records data and provides reports that may be clinically useful to assess the user's health status. The temporal nature of the liquid level sensor measurements is particularly useful because urination or defecation may be measured over time. Not only are total volumes detected but rates at which waste is deposited into the toilet during the entire excretion event are detected. These measurements are particularly useful in assessing certain health conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Stephen Davis, Jared Wagner, Terrece Pearman
  • Patent number: 10098513
    Abstract: The toilet seat and lid lifter is a mechanical apparatus that is configured to: 1) lift a toilet seat and a toilet lid; and, 2) flush a toilet. The toilet seat and lid lifter comprises a cover, a lifting mechanism, and a flush mechanism. The lifting mechanism is a pedal operated mechanical apparatus that allows the toilet seat and the toilet lid to be lifted without the use of the hands. The lifting mechanism will lower the toilet seat and the toilet lid to their original positions after use. The flush mechanism is a pedal operated mechanical apparatus that: 1) attaches to the flush handle of the toilet; and, 2) operates the flush handle without the use of the hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Barrion Robinson
  • Patent number: 10081025
    Abstract: A pole mechanism for dual shower head includes a pole and a three-way distributor having one inlet in communication with a water source and two outlets respectively for communication with a first shower head and a second shower head. The pole is securely connected to an outer wall of the three-way distributor and has a socket movably mounted thereon and having a C shaped cutout for holding therein the second shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: XIAMEN RUNNER INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chun-Hui Lin
  • Patent number: 10076215
    Abstract: Portable, self-contained bidet seat (10) to be placed on toilet or other waste disposal means. Bidet seat (10) holds washing liquid (100) in hollow central chamber (23). Pressure means (40) is activated by user to pressurize washing liquid (100) and air (101) in chamber (23). Pressurized liquid (100) is sprayed or jetted onto user to replace use of toilet paper. Bidet seat (10) is adapted for use by persons with limited strength or agility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Inventors: David Quay, Donna Quay
  • Patent number: 10077549
    Abstract: Kits and methods for installing a toilet bowl or toilet assembly without tools, and an installed toilet assembly, are described. The methods and assembly work with an existing flange or can include a standard closet flange configured to receive a flange bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: AS IP HOLDCO, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Jensen, David Grover, James P. Walsh
  • Patent number: 10072431
    Abstract: A Exercise Pool is disclosed herein having a rigid frame modular in design to allow for improved delivery and assembling. As shown the system may be configured with a box like structure providing containment of the flow head and may be configured with a removable walk deck having an air gap built in. As disclosed the treadmill swimming pool system as its general configuration is safer for users as it inhibits and/or eliminates hair and body entrapment. As disclosed it has a balanced flow which better replicates or reproduces actual swimming conditions for an enhanced user experience. The propulsion system may be controlled with a variable frequency drive (VFD) to allow for improved swimming conditions and control of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventor: David E. Hall
  • Patent number: 10066379
    Abstract: A portable restroom includes an automatic continuous flushing feature and a touchless flush request sensor. An automatic light provides welcome lighting in darker locations. An electric fan increases ventilation and reduces odor and temperature in the restroom. Sensors monitor various levels and usage of consumables. A processor monitors the sensed data and wirelessly alerts a service provider when the restroom needs service. A flushing bowl is placed in the commode opening to hide the waste within the tank. The flushing bowl includes a relatively small opening in a forward portion of the inner bowl surface for waste to pass through. A spray nozzle for directing water over the interior of the bowl is provided to minimize the chance that waste sticks to the inner bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Satellite Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth V. Schomburg, Ronald J. Holmstadt
  • Patent number: 10060107
    Abstract: An automatic water faucet device 1 includes: an electrolysis tank 37 that electrolyzes water to generate electrolyzed water; a second water discharge part 13 for discharging the electrolyzed water, a second flow path 18 that extends from the electrolysis tank 37 to the second water discharge part 13; a second solenoid valve 28 that switches between supply and blocking of normal water with respect to the electrolysis tank 37, and a controller 40 that controls the electrolysis tank 37 and the second solenoid valve 28. The controller 40 energizes the electrolysis tank 37 to discharge the electrolyzed water and thereafter stops the energization of the electrolysis tank 37 and maintains an open state of the second solenoid valve 28, to stop the supply of the electrolyzed water to the second flow path 18 and to supply normal water to the second flow path 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Kensuke Murata, Hitoshi Nakao, Hiroshi Mizoguchi, Naoto Tomiyama, Masanobu Kanashiro
  • Patent number: 10060115
    Abstract: A toilet fastening system includes a bolt, a nut, and a cap, the bolt and nut each configured with ratchet or ratchet-like portions that define a ratchet or ratchet-like constructs between the bolt and nut to provide controlled tightening (rotation) of the nut onto the bolt, audible confirmation of nut tightening, and tactile user feedback while aiding in preventing back off of the nut relative to the bolt, the cap joining with the nut such that the cap becomes the tightening and loosening tool for the nut as well as the finished beauty cap for the toilet fastening system. The bolt has an offset foot with curved inner and outer surfaces for positive orientation and seating of the bolt into the toilet flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: AIIM, LLC
    Inventors: Jody D. Miller, Darrell Wayne Bowden, Anthony Joseph Parker
  • Patent number: 10053843
    Abstract: A support device to maintain a mounting assembly on the exterior of a sink flange engaged to a sink adapted to engage a garbage disposal. The support device employs a body portion engaged to one or a plurality of magnets. The body portion is adapted to engage with or upon the sink flange and thereby position the magnets to magnetically hold the mounting assembly upon the exterior of the sink flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Tiffany Walton
  • Patent number: 10053844
    Abstract: A universal drain has a plug body, at least two sealing member and a pressing knob. The plug body is composed of a base, a movable member, a rotating member, a first spring and a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: YU-HSIN PLASTIC CORP LTD
    Inventor: Pei-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 10047510
    Abstract: A rimless toilet pan (20) includes a forward end (F), a rearward end (R) and a pan bowl (28). A flushing outlet (32) is in fluid communication with the pan bowl (28). A flushing water inlet (30) is in fluid communication with the pan bowl (28). An inwardly facing first sidewall (34) extends substantially around the top of the pan bowl (28). A substantially horizontal ledge extends (36) substantially around the bottom of the first sidewall (34). An inwardly facing second sidewall (37) extends substantially around the pan bowl (28) under the horizontal ledge (36). A flushing water flow splitter (38) is substantially adjacent a rearward end of the first sidewall (34), the flow splitter (38) is in fluid communication with the flushing water inlet (30) and has a leftwards outlet (38a) and a rightwards outlet (38b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Caroma Industries Limited
    Inventors: Stephen John Cummings, Leonard Conrad, Johann Karunaratne, Frank Quartiero