Plural Flush, Preliminary Or Subsequent Patents (Class 4/345)
  • Patent number: 8997268
    Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
  • Publication number: 20130047326
    Abstract: A flush toilet for discharging waste using flush water supplied from a flush water source, including a bowl portion having a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface, a rim portion formed on the top edge portion thereof, and a shelf portion formed between the rim portion and the waste receiving surface; a water discharge path for discharging waste, the path including an inlet which is connected at the bottom of the bowl portion; a water spouting portion for spouting flush water onto the shelf portion of the bowl portion to form a swirl flow; and a water conduit for supplying flush water to the spouting portion. The water spouting portion is formed on the rim portion, and a first swirl trajectory of a first circulation and a second swirl trajectory of a second circulation are mutually different when flush water spouted from the water spouting portion swirls along the rim portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Yu YAMASAKI, Masaaki INOUE, Masahiro NAKAMURA, Kenji WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8082605
    Abstract: A low volume hygienic apparatus used a high pressure spray to break up solid waste material in a containment chamber and to push liquid and broken-up solid waste from the containment chamber. A high pressure nozzle is pointed into the containment chamber and configured to break-up the solids using a prescribed pressure level and to propel the liquids and the broken-up solids from a chamber interior through a chamber outlet of the containment chamber. A completing structure is disposed between the chamber outlet and a drain and is configured to draw liquids and broken-up solids from the chamber at the end of a flushing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Dan Marius Andreiu
  • Patent number: 7810178
    Abstract: The dual toilet tank system is toilet flushing system that efficiently uses the water in the tank depending on the waste being flushed. The tank body has a divider separating the tank into two compartments, one compartment has a smaller volume than the other; a flushing valve assembly with two flapper valves, one flapper valve disposed vertically higher than the other with each disposed in respective compartments; and independently operated actuators that flush the water in respective compartments or all of the tank. The smaller volume compartment is mostly used for liquid wastes while the larger volume compartment is used for solid wastes. For larger loads, both compartments are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: George J. Wajda
  • Publication number: 20090211008
    Abstract: An improved toilet assembly incorporating a supply water passage 400 and supply water mechanical assembly 500 into the design to provide means to deliver a pressurized jet of water to remove clogs. This jet is actuated via an independent flush valve 506, fed directly from the pressurized water supply, and located within a drain passage 300.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Dominick Joseph Fucito
  • Publication number: 20090056006
    Abstract: A portable toilet chemical recharge system and method includes a water source and a main conduit with a water valve, and a liquid chemical solution source with a chemical conduit and a chemical pump, the chemical conduit connected to the main conduit downstream from the water valve. A chemical pump timer engages and disengages the chemical pump, and a chemical flow control valve controls chemical flow through the chemical conduit. The water valve, chemical pump timer and the chemical flow control valve cooperatively control flow through the main and chemical conduits to provide a pre-injection water flush period, a liquid chemical injection period wherein liquid chemical flows into the main conduit, and a post-injection water flush period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: James R. Godfrey, Chris D. Holman
  • Publication number: 20020162166
    Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly by providing pulses to the microprocessor, and the control system counts pulses and computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. Corrections are made to the pulse count to correct for partial valve open conditions and other variables. An override switch provides a signal to the control system for a flush operation A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: David A. Saar, Dwight N. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020092090
    Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller housing. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly and the control system computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. A push button is pressed to one of two override positions either to provide a signal to the control system for a normal flush operation or to open the high flow valve assembly independently of the control system for an emergency flush operation. A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5956779
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive urinal flushing system includes a hydraulic cylinder having a piston reciprocated therein and a piston rod upwardly extended from the piston, a weight sensor mounted on the piston rod outside the hydraulic cylinder, and a valve connected to the hydraulic cylinder by a pipe for controlling the supply of flushing water to a urinal, the hydraulic fluid being forced out of the hydraulic cylinder into the valve to open the valve for letting flushing water pass to the urinal when the user steps on the weight sensor, the hydraulic fluid being returned from the valve to the hydraulic cylinder when the piston is moved downwards from the elevation of the pipe, the hydraulic fluid being forced out of the hydraulic cylinder into the valve to open the valve for letting flushing water pass to the urinal again when the user leaves from the weight sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Ching-Wei Chung
  • Patent number: 5625906
    Abstract: A gravity flush toilet system includes a fixture with a water sealed trap and a tank having an overflow tube, a flush valve and a fill valve. A control assembly includes a float assembly with a member for pushing the flush valve toward its closed position as the water level descends. A full volume or a reduced volume flushing operation is selected by alternatively filling or emptying a bias chamber of the float assembly. Water pressure variations are compensated for by increasing the weight of the float with part of the flow through the fill valve as the tank is emptying. A regulated volume of reseal water is carried in a chamber on the float and is discharged into the overflow tube to refill the fixture trap after each flushing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5611090
    Abstract: A gravity flush toilet system includes a fixture with a water sealed trap and a tank having an overflow tube, a flush valve and a fill valve. A control assembly includes a float assembly with a member for pushing the flush valve toward its closed position as the water level descends. A full volume or a reduced volume flushing operation is selected by alternatively filling or emptying a bias chamber of the float assembly. Water pressure variations are compensated for by increasing the weight of the float with part of the flow through the fill valve as the tank is emptying. A regulated volume of reseal water is carried in a chamber on the float and is discharged into the overflow tube to refill the fixture trap after each flushing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5608923
    Abstract: A toilet has a pump to deliver selected quantities of water from a reservoir to a toilet bowl so as to effect a water savings. In one aspect, both the motor and pump are positioned in the reservoir to deliver water to both the rim and bowl portions. In another aspect, there are conduits connected between the basin, the rim and controls which are provided to deliver water to the rim and bowl either independently, simultaneously or in selective sequences. In alternative embodiments, a refill tube is connected to an intake conduit and the rim of the bowl to effect a water seal, a fail safe valve is connected to the supply conduit, a receptacle with a cleaning fluid and a pump is connected to the bowl and there are at least two receptacles for receiving waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Norman J. Jaeckels, Randy O. Mesun
  • Patent number: 5305475
    Abstract: A toilet has a pump to deliver selected quantities of water from a reservoir to a toilet bowl so as to effect a water savings. In one aspect, both the motor and pump are positioned in the reservoir to deliver water to both the rim and bowl portions. In another aspect, there are conduits connected between the basin, the rim and controls which are provided to deliver water to the rim and bowl either independently, simultaneously or in selective sequences. In alternative embodiments, a refill tube is connected to an intake conduit and the rim of the bowl to effect a water seal, a fail safe valve is connected to the supply conduit, a receptacle with a cleaning fluid and a pump is connected to the bowl and there are at least two receptacles for receiving waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Norman J. Jaeckels, John A. Fiumefreddo, Michael P. Gray, Anton J. Kolar, Randy O. Mesun, Jeffrey F. Tempas
  • Patent number: 4748699
    Abstract: A float is slidably mounted on the upright overflow tube or other upright guide in the toilet tank. As the water level lowers during flushing, the float descends so that a valve actuator on the bottom of the float closes the flapper valve when the water level is partway down the tank, to conserve flush water.When it is desired that the user have a choice between a limited flush for the flushing of liquids and a full flush, a hook is provided so that it can be manipulated to engage the float to hold the float in its raised, non-actuating position. By manipulation of the flush handle, the hook on the flush lever can be moved between the float-engaging and the float non-engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventor: Charles F. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4651359
    Abstract: A dual mode flush valve assembly selectively operable in a full or partial flush mode for use with a toilet flush tank assembly including a flush actuator movable between a first and second position interconnected to a buoyant flush valve movable between an open and closed position, the dual mode flush valve assembly comprising a flush valve actuator assembly movable between an upper buoyant position, an intermediate full flush position and a lower partial flush position in combination with a flush valve control assembly movable between a first and second position disposed to selectively engage the flush valve actuator assembly when in the first position such that when the flush actuator is in the first position the flush valve actuator assembly is in the upper buoyant position and the buoyant flush valve is in the closed position, when the flush actuator is moved from the first to second position for less than a predetermined period of time moving the buoyant flush valve to the open position, the flush valve
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: John R. Battle
  • Patent number: 4333830
    Abstract: A vacuum drain system having alternating ascending and descending sections in a conduit for conveying a liquid, such as waste water, to a collector tank maintained under vacuum to induce liquid flow through the conduit. At least one of the descending conduit sections is of larger cross section than an adjacent ascending section to facilitate flow of liquid through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Electrolux GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Michael
  • Patent number: 4115882
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flush valve for toilet tanks comprising in a general form a hollow tubular member having a valve head on its lower end and adapted at its upper end to seat with a second valve head. The lower end rests in a valve seat located in or near the bottom of the flush tank. A second valve head is positioned on or seats in the upper end of the tubular member. It is positioned so that it can be raised a short distance to permit the flow of water into the top of the tubular member and from thence into the stool below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Inventor: Paul Paulus
  • Patent number: 4094019
    Abstract: An assembly havng a retractable toilet bowl incorporates conduit means in the bowl trunnion for delivering water to the toilet bowl via pipes on its underside. The trunnion conduit means incorporates a Sloan valve of standard commerical type to provide advantageous wetting and flushing flow control while providing safeguards against flooding and inadequate sewer gas trap level. The wetting control extends the range of wetness and facilitates cleaning operations. Right and left hand installations, using the same parts, are enabled. Other features as in models currently marketed remain readily incorporatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignees: Altair, Inc., American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Vincent Moore, Paul N. Levesque
  • Patent number: 4094327
    Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid level control valve ideally suited for water closets and the like that employs a submersed liquid pressure responsive diaphragm as an actuator for the control valve. The control valve is supported in the tank on a liquid inlet vertical column, above the normal, controlled liquid level thereon. The control valve has a flexible valve closure member that subdivides the control valve housing into main and secondary chambers. A small orifice provides liquid communication through the diaphragm between the chambers and the secondary chamber is provided with a bleed orifice in the housing wall with a closure member therefor carried on an actuator arm which is mechanically coupled through a vent pipe to the diaphragm actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Inventor: Anthony R. Brandelli
  • Patent number: 4075718
    Abstract: A plumbing system for flushing a toilet bowl is provided having one or more high pressure nozzles disposed about the rim of the bowl so that the discharge from the nozzles will impinge upon all of the interior surfaces of the bowl; the nozzles are each connected to a common pressure chamber through a flush valve; the pressure chamber contains an air pocket which will be compressed when liquid under main pressure accumulates in the pressure chamber; liquid from a water main is supplied to the pressure chamber through an adjustable flow restrictor so that, when the flush valve is open and water from the pressure chamber is discharged under pressure through the nozzles, a subsequent flushing cycle will be delayed until a predetermined line pressure builds up in the pressure chamber; a reservoir tank is connected to the bowl drain and is adapted to collect water from other utility stations until a predetermined quantity of liquid is present in the reservoir; control means are provided to discharge liquid from the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Inventor: William J. Hargraves