Abstract: An automatic toilet flushing system, for use with conventional toilets, includes a sensor, an actuator and a flushing mechanism. The actuator has a gear train, a motor, a pivotal arm connected to the gear train, and a power source connected to the motor for rotating the shaft of the motor which rotates the gear train for pivotal movement of the arm. The flushing mechanism includes a flapper valve and the pivotal arm is connected to the flapper valve via a bead chain and a handle swivel or a tab mounted on the pivotal arm. The sensor may replace the flush handle or the flush handle and the sensor may both be provided. A kit and a method for converting a manual flushing system to the automatic toilet flushing system are also provided.

Abstract: An oil-based odor trap arrangement for a waterless urinal including (a) a bell trap tube received within a cavity situated in a lower portion of the waterless urinal, wherein one end of the tube is adapted to be removably attached to the cavity; and (b) a strainer having a body and defining a cap portion and an integrally attached ring portion extending axially away from the cap portion, wherein the strainer is adapted to be received onto an opposite end of the tube whereby the ring portion partially envelopes the tube thus forming a baffle configured to: 1) contain an oil-based substance between the ring portion and a wall of the cavity; 2) accommodate the flow of fluid from the urinal between the ring portion and the tube; and 3) direct the fluid into the tube.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flush actuator assembly is adapted to fit existing valve bodies. The flush actuator assembly includes a plunger rod which is capable of displacing the relief valve post more or less to adjust the flow of water through the flush valve during a single flush. The relief valve post may be displaced different amounts by adjusting the actuator assembly such that the plunger rod contacts the relief valve post at different locations along the central longitudinal axis of the post. Additionally, the relief valve post may be displaced different amounts by providing a plunger rod that has a different range of travel. A method associated with displacing the relief valve post varying amounts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.