Including Plural Compartments In Tank Patents (Class 4/346)
  • Patent number: 8239976
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present system invention, there is provided a dividing module positioned in the holding tank of a toilet to separate the holding tank into a main portion and a reserve portion. The dividing module has a height lower than the full water level in the holding tank. The dividing module includes the ability to selectively connect the main portion and the reserve portion in fluid communication of each other. The embodiment allows an operator to press the handle arm an initial time to maintain the main portion and the reserve portion in substantially fluid separation of each other, such that water in the main portion is utilized to flush the toilet and wherein when the operator presses the handle a second time in the same manner as the initial time, the dividing module connects the main portion and the reserve portion in substantially fluid communication with each other, such that water in the reserve portion and the main portion is utilized to flush the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Z-Choice International, LLC
    Inventors: Weizhi Chen, Suzy Zeng
  • Patent number: 7958576
    Abstract: A toilet is designed and constructed to accommodate the physically challenged persons. The toilet has a wider sitting area to accommodate person of various sizes. The toilet also includes a pair of handles for assisting a person in getting on and off the toilet. The flushing action is accomplished by pulling flush knobs located in the handles while the person is sitting on the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: William C. Johnson, Phyllis Rehmar
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6854494
    Abstract: A cup and probe assembly for use in a system for transferring a liquid between two sources in a photographic processor. The probe having body portion having a threaded section that mates with a threaded inlet provided on said cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Clyde L. Fetterman, Kevin H. Blakely, Martin L. Slade
  • Patent number: 6571400
    Abstract: A toilet bowl water flow adjustment system for controlling the water volume utilized to flush an existing toilet. The toilet bowl water flow adjustment system includes a divider structure for separating a reservoir into a main portion and an auxiliary portion, a main arm pivotally attached to the divider structure, and an auxiliary flush valve connected to said main arm. The main arm has an engaging end that engages a lower portion of a handle arm of a conventional toilet that is connected to a main flush valve. When the handle connected to the handle arm is rotated clockwise thereby forcing the main arm to pivot thereby opening the auxiliary flush valve which allows the water within the auxiliary portion of the reservoir to pass into the main portion of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: James C. Reid
  • Patent number: 6282731
    Abstract: A multiple variable flush storage tank toilet has been developed as preferred state-of-the-art to improve the means of reducing the amount of water used in a water flush type toilet. The improved mechanism within the toilet storage tank relies on a partitioned smaller and larger compartmented space in accordance with that state-of-the-art. The variable means of flushing to obtain a multiplicity of smaller water flushes plus a larger water flush has been obtained by use of “V”-indented polygons. The mechanism for flushing is operated by using a conventional exterior tank handle and is adaptable for a variety of polygons. All functions of the mechanism are simplified beyond that of the current conventional toilet. The variety o flushings are duplicated as use of the toilet is continued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: John Harry Mohrman
  • Patent number: 5761749
    Abstract: A toilet structure having lower and upper water tanks, the latter being fixed on the former, a lower outlet on the bottom of the lower water tank for supplying water from the lower tank to a whirling water feed outlet in an associated nightstool, and an upper outlet on the bottom of the upper tank for supplying water from the upper water tank to a ring of holes formed in an upper periphery of the nightstool. When a rotatable knob is turned in a first direction, a small amount of flushing water is discharged from the lower tank through the lower outlet to flush urine from the nightstool. When the knob is turned in a second direction, both the water tanks discharge water simultaneously for flushing nightsoil from the nightstool. Accordingly, water consumption is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Ming-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 5685026
    Abstract: A toilet structure having lower and upper water tanks, the latter being fixed on the former, a lower outlet on the bottom of the lower water tank for supplying water from the lower tank to a whirling water feed outlet in an associated nightstool, an upper outlet on the bottom of said upper tank for supplying water from the upper water tank to a ring of holes formed in an upper periphery of the nightstool. When a rotatable knob is turned in a first direction, a small amount of flushing water is discharged from the lower tank through the lower outlet to flush urine from said nightstool. When the knob is turned in a second direction, both the water tanks discharge water simultaneously for flushing nightsoil from the nightstool. By such structure, water consumption is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Ming-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 5642533
    Abstract: A water saving toilet comprising a water assembly and a bowl assembly. The tank assembly includes a water tank, a lid for the water tank and a water supply control mechanism provided in the water tank, a water trap control mechanism and a water flushing control mechanism. The bowl assembly includes a bowl and a water flushing system having a primary and a secondary water discharging lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Andy Y. Young
  • Patent number: 5450634
    Abstract: An incremental dual stage water-flush toilet has been developed to serve as a means of reducing to an absolute minimum the amount of water used in a water-flush type toilet. The toilet is comprised of a trapless toilet bowl with spring-loaded air valves over a pipe trap below floor level, and a water storage tank divided into a small and large compartments. An incremental flushing mechanism allows conventional type manual flushing of the toilet but will allow enough water to run into the bowl to cleanse the bowl and wash waste into the pipe trap below for interim retention. After multiple incremental flushings of that limited type, a major bowl flush containing enough water to clear the toilet bowl and also to wash all retained waste in the pipe trap into the available sewer line occurs. The sequence of smaller flushings with a larger flushing is again repeatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: John H. Mohrman
  • Patent number: 4462124
    Abstract: A water closet (10) for conserving water which has a siphon jet (30) in the bowl (12) for initiating evacuation of the contents of the bowl through the trap (26), and a flush water storage tank (14) that includes chambers (68) and (72) through which water can flow in measured quantities, first to the siphon jet for initiating the siphon action, and second, to the bowl (12) for rinse purposes in a timed-delay action so that substantially no mixing of the rinse water with the contents of the bowl occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Antos, Richard G. Lapham, Charles L. Sargent, Frank T. Sargent
  • Patent number: 4388737
    Abstract: A fluid discharge regulating device to be used for conserving water in the toilet tanks of bathroom toilets. The device includes partitions that divide the toilet tank into three consecutively arranged compartments, each compartment providing fluid communication with other compartments, either directly or indirectly, through portholes in each partition. Each porthole opening is adjustable to control the rate of fluid flow into the second or middle compartment in order to maintain constant the amount of water used during a single flush. The volume of fluid reaching the toilet bowl can be increased beyond the preset level by holding down an adjustable handle which is connected to the flushing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Inventor: John G. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 4358864
    Abstract: A combination wash basin and toilet water conservation system having at least one wash basin and a toilet having a water tank. The water tank has a fresh water chamber and a gray water chamber. A first outlet connects the gray water chamber with the bowl of the toilet and a flapper valve closes this outlet. A second outlet connects the fresh water chamber and the gray water chamber and a buoyant valve closes this outlet. Piping connects the drain of the wash basin to the gray water chamber. Piping also connects a source of fresh water to the fresh water chamber. A hand lever on the outside of the toilet operates a lever arm within the water tank which when it is raised upwardly actuates structure causing the buoyant valve to rise thereby letting fresh water into the gray water tank. Structure is also actuated in the gray water tank when the lever arm raises upwardly and this structure opens the flapper valve to release water from the gray water chamber into the toilet bowl for flushing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Inventor: Juan M. Medrano
  • Patent number: 4304014
    Abstract: This invention relates to a variable volume flushing cistern and in particular it relates to a cistern of the type in which a selection can be made of the amount of water discharged during a flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: United Packages Limited
    Inventor: Bruce R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4225985
    Abstract: This invention relates to water conserving devices to be used in the water closets of bathroom toilets. The devices may also find applications in other liquid containing and discharging vessels. The invention consists of a partition wall or alternatively a minitank installable in the water closet of a toilet so as to divide the water closet into two separate liquid holding compartments. A flapper valve with a magnetic closure, fitted into the partition wall or into the minitank, opens and closes a port which communicates between the compartments. The actuating means of the flapper valve is operably connected to the existing trip lever of the water closet in such a way that the valve will be actuated only after the existing discharge valve has been actuated first. This arrangement permits the user to discharge water from one or both compartments of the water closet according to his needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Inventors: Devendra C. Joshi, Virendra N. Sharma
  • Patent number: 4221010
    Abstract: A metering device to provide just the amount of water necessary to insure proper filling of a flush toilet bowl and trap. The metering device operates by means of gravity feed rather than pressure that is presently used which may vary the amount of water going to the trap as supply pressures increase or decrease. The metering device eliminates certain wasted water normally present during flushing and filling of the flush tank. The device in one embodiment includes a metering tank having an inlet connected to the exit sides of flush tank outlet valve. The flush tank outlet valve is connected at the upper side of the metering tank. The metering tank is in fluid communication between the flush tank and the toilet bowl and trap. The metering tank may be located in a plurality of lower positions. When the outlet valve is opened, the metering tank is also opened and filled during the flushing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Inventor: Daniel J. Young
  • Patent number: 4219895
    Abstract: A variable volume flushing cistern comprising a body with a division wall across it to form two compartments, the first containing a float and water inlet valve and communicating with a flushing valve on the base of the cistern, a second communicating through a movable flap with the flushing valve so that by closing the valve water from the second compartment can be prevented from discharging through the flushing valve when a smaller flush is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: United Packages Limited
    Inventor: Bruce R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4193145
    Abstract: A flushing mechanism is disclosed for use in the tank of a toilet, utilizing a spool valve to accommodate various fluid pressures and to accomplish accurate control of volumetric flow. A housing is provided in the toilet tank, defining an inlet port which is adapted to be connected to the source of flushing fluid, e.g. water, and also defining a vertical valve chamber extending somewhat transverse to the inlet port and connected to control the discharge of water from the valve and out of the tank to the toilet bowl. The spool valve is provided in the valve chamber such that the facing surfaces of lands on the spool are subjected to the pressure of the flushing water source, to maintain a balance. Manual means is disclosed for displacing the spool valve to supply flushing water from the source while activating a hydraulic timer which, in due course, resets the spool valve. In the disclosed embodiment, the hydraulic timer involves a bleed tube for supplying water to the tank which contains a float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Garon Processing Co.
    Inventors: Gary Gross, James F. Thies
  • Patent number: 4143430
    Abstract: This invention relates to water conserving devices to be used in the water closets of bathroom toilets. The devices may also find applications in other liquid containing and discharging vessels. The invention consists of a partition wall or alternatively a minitank installable in the water closet of a toilet so as to divide the water closet into two separate liquid holding compartments. A flapper valve with a magnetic closure, fitted into the partition wall or into the minitank, opens and closes a port which communicates between the compartments. The actuating means of the flapper valve is operably connected to the existing trip lever of the water closet in such a way that the valve will be actuated only after the existing discharge valve has been actuated first. This arrangement permits the user to discharge water from one or both compartments of the water closet according to his needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1979
    Inventors: Devendra C. Joshi, Virendra Sharma