Pressure Tank Patents (Class 4/354)
  • Patent number: 11965322
    Abstract: A toilet includes an inlet structure, a bowl structure, and an outlet structure. The inlet structure is configured to receive water. The bowl structure has a toilet bowl including a rim and a sump, a split fluidly connected to the inlet structure and including a first passage and a second passage, a shelf located below the rim of the toilet bowl and fluidly connected to the first passage, a side channel fluidly connected to the second passage, and a diverter that redirects the water from the side channel to the sump of the toilet bowl. The outlet structure is fluidly connected to the sump and is configured to discharge water from the sump into a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Tony L. Lambert, Daniel N. Halloran, Andrew L. Smith
  • Patent number: 11952762
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lower position water suction assembly, including a jet flow element configured to convey water in a water tank and outside tap water together into a bowl part of a toilet. The lower position water suction assembly also includes a lower position water suction pipe connected to the jet flow element and configured to convey the water in a lower portion of the water tank into the jet flow element. The lower position water suction pipe includes a water suction pipe port comprising a plurality of projections configured to contact an inner bottom surface of the water tank and draw the water from the lower portion of the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Shanghai Kohler Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junfeng Sun, Yunqing Zang, Minggao Xu
  • Patent number: 11939206
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a fluid control system with an outlet valve assembly, an inlet valve assembly including a venturi inlet valve, and an actuator coupled to the inlet valve assembly. In some embodiments, the actuator can enable a user to control a flush volume of fluid control system. Some embodiments include a moveable float positioned in a chamber of the outlet valve assembly, where the chamber includes a variably-sized upper portion with a volume that is based at least in part on a variable position of the moveable float in the chamber. Some embodiments include a adjustable control valves coupled to an outer surface of the outlet valve assembly and the inlet valve assembly. Some embodiments also include a bellows positioned in and coupled to the variably-sized upper portion. In some embodiments, the bellows are fluidly coupled to the venturi inlet valve and at least one of the control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: FLUIDMASTER, INC.
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Adam Sampson
  • Patent number: 11933031
    Abstract: A tank assembly for a pressure-assist toilet includes a flush assembly having an outer chamber and an inner chamber disposed in the outer chamber. The flush assembly further includes a flush valve disposed in the inner chamber, and a pilot valve disposed in the inner chamber and extending through the flush valve. The tank assembly further includes an actuator engaging the pilot valve and configured to hold the pilot valve at each of a first height, a second height offset a first distance from the first height, and a third height offset a second distance from the first height greater than a first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William C. Kuru, William Kalk
  • Patent number: 11821190
    Abstract: A tank for a pressure-assist toilet flush system includes a base having an outlet for discharging water from the tank and a cover connected to the upper end of the base at a tongue-and-groove joint. The base has a pair of first sidewalls extending downward from the upper end of the base along a length of the base, a pair of second sidewalls extending between the first sidewalls and downward from the upper end of the base, and a bottom wall connected to the first sidewalls and the second sidewalls, with the outlet defined in the bottom wall. The base also includes first and second cross-ribs connected to the first sidewalls and each having a bridge portion extending between the first sidewalls on opposite sides of the outlet, the first and second cross-ribs each having an opening between a bottom edge of the bridge portion and the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: Richard Papai
  • Patent number: 11479956
    Abstract: There is provided a flush toilet that performs flushing by rim spouting, the flush toilet allowing the size of a flush water tank to be reduced while enabling discharge of a sufficient amount of flush water to a toilet main body. A flush toilet 1 includes a toilet main body 2 including a bowl 2a, a rim 2c and a rim spout port 2f for discharging supplied flush water to the rim 2c, a flush water tank device 4, a pump device 6, a water supply device 8, and a controller 10, where the controller 10 is capable of performing a flushing mode in which the total amount of discharge of flush water discharged to the rim spout port 2f by the pump device 6 is greater than a tank capacity of the flush water tank device 4, and the controller 10 controls driving of the pump device 6 and the water supply device 8 in the flushing mode such that at least a part of a water supply period when flush water is supplied by the water supply device overlaps a discharge period when flush water is discharged by the pump device 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Momoe, Shu Kashirajima
  • Patent number: 11136752
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a toilet main body, a flush water tank device, and connection conduits for supplying, to a toilet main body, flush water supplied from a reservoir tank. The reservoir tank includes a large tank portion on a large volume side in the reservoir tank when the reservoir tank is divided into two at the left-right center and a small tank portion on a small volume side in the reservoir tank when the reservoir tank is divided into two at the left-right center. The upstream end of one connection conduit is connected to the large tank portion and, on the other hand, the downstream end of the other connection conduit is connected to the other side of the toilet main body divided into two at the left-right center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Shu Kashirajima, Takahiro Hara, Masaki Mori, Yukari Kawazu, Tsubasa Ishibashi, Hironori Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10086849
    Abstract: A vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, includes a compressed-air-operated toilet device and a compressed air supply system which supplies compressed air to the toilet device during normal operation. The vehicle also includes an emergency compressed air source that is suitable for providing compressed air for continued operation of the toilet device in the event of a failure of the compressed air supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralph Gaertner, Walter Lindermuth, Gerd Talarowski
  • Patent number: 9873440
    Abstract: A transportation device, such as a rail vehicle, has a water supply device with a freshwater tank, at least one used water device connected to the freshwater tank and a collecting container connected to the used water device. The collecting container collects and stores used water which comes from the used water device The water supply device includes a control device which, by way of at least one control signal, can predefine one of at least two different operating modes, specifically a normal operating mode and an economy operating mode in which, compared to the normal operating mode, at least one operational resource which is necessary to operate the water supply device is consumed to a lesser extent than in the normal operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralph Gaertner, Christian Schneider
  • Patent number: 9869079
    Abstract: Embodiments of disclosure provide an intermediate accumulator that can receive and hold water prior to its delivery to a vacuum toilet or other water-using source. The pump required to move water from the reservoir to the intermediate accumulator can be much lighter and smaller than pumps previously required in systems that do not use an intermediate accumulator. Providing an intermediate accumulator can provide a more constant flush by holding the pressure inside the accumulator more constant, by equalizing the pressure, and by lowering the total volume required per flush. The accumulator can store energy in the water and deliver it to a water-using source using less energy and requiring less volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Razmik B. Boodaghians, Salvador Padilla, Christina Ortolan, Nguyen Tram, Timothy Birbeck
  • Patent number: 9605421
    Abstract: A water-saving siphon toilet has a toilet body and a water tank, a eject water channel used for flushing the bottom of the toilet body and a brushing water channel used for brushing the washable surface of the toilet body are arranged between the toilet body and the water tank, and a siphon channel used for pollution is arranged at the bottom of the toilet body, and a first drain valve and a overflow pipe are arranged in the water tank, the eject water channel is isolated from the outside air, and reserved water is stored in the eject water channel for assisting flush the bottom of the toilet body next time. The eject water channel of the toilet body contacts outside air only at the water seal out of the eject hole when the toilet is at non-working states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: XIAMEN AXENT CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Patent number: 9587387
    Abstract: A dual-drainage switching mechanism of water tank has: a water container with bottom opening of the inner cavity, an air vent communicating with the inner cavity is arranged on the sealed top; a valve unit used for controlling opens or closes of the air vent; a drain valve controller comprising a partial flush button and a full flush button, and the air vent is opened through the linking and coupling of the full flush button and the valve unit, and the air vent is closed through the linking and coupling of the partial flush button and the valve unit. The dual-draining switch is achieved through hermetically storing or non-hermetically controlling part of water body in the inner cavity of the water container, traditional one-pressing drain valve can be transformed into the draining control mechanism with dual-draining function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: XIAMEN R&T PLUMBING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rongyu Zhang, Xingdong Wang, Bing Wang
  • Patent number: 9580895
    Abstract: A draining and flushing mechanism comprises a tank body, a first piston, a fixation rod to assemble the first piston, a main energy-storage spring and a drainage valve; the first piston is assembled inside the tank body and divided the tank body into a top tank and a bottom tank; the bottom tank is a water storage room spaced by the first piston and the tank body at the lower portion of the tank body; the main energy-storage spring is attached to the first piston to push the first piston to the bottom tank; an inlet pipe is connected to the bottom tank; wherein the bottom surface of the bottom tank is disposed with an assembly hole, the drainage valve is connected to the assembly hole and assembled to the outer side of the bottom tank, the drainage valve is disposed with at least a drainage hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: XIAMEN AXENT CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Patent number: 8813274
    Abstract: A toilet multi flushing device consisting of an enclosed tank (3) filled with compressible plastic sheets (6). The tank (3) has a direct connection (1) to water supply at the bottom, an outlet at the bottom of the tank (3) with an external ball valve used as a flushing valve (10). When the valve (10) is opened the water is ejected at high speed to clear the bowl. It could be mixed with fresh air to form a mist flow. The mist streams clear the bowl. Fresh air could be substituted by the air from the trap (25) to create vacuum after the trap (25) to facilitate the clearing of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Mohamed Radwan Rafaat Atassi
  • Patent number: 8332970
    Abstract: A flushing mechanism (100) includes a housing (1), an upper cover (6) on the housing (1), a sleeve (3), a first piston (4), a first piston sealed module (4-3), a first piston loading spring (5), a second piston (8) and a second piston loading spring (9). Wherein a pressure-relief and/or ejection-proof part is provided in the housing (1), the second piston sealed module (8-3, 8-4) are respectively provided surround the periphery of the bottom end and the central hole of the second piston (8). The bottom end of the second piston (8), the second piston sealed module (8-3, 8-4) and the lower end of the housing (1) define an exterior lower cavity (8-5) and an interior lower cavity (8-6) used for cooperating with the second piston loading spring (9) in course of drainage, sequentially the second piston (8) is moved upward and the outlet is opened. A toilet bowl employing the flushing mechanism can reduce the flushing water consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventors: Feiyu Li, Caiyou Li
  • Patent number: 8281424
    Abstract: A flush toilet for prevention of reverse flow and uses a reduced number of parts. The flush toilet includes a toilet body having a bowl, a rim water outlet, a jet water outlet, and a discharge water trap piping; a water storage tank. A flush water supply mechanism is provided for supplying flush water to the rim water outlet and the water storage tank and a pressurizing pump pressurizes the flush water in the water storage tank. A jet-side water supply path supplies the pressurized flush water to the jet water outlet. An overflow path is provided having a lower end connected to the downstream side of the highest position of the jet-side water supply path and an upper end opened in the upper part in the water storage tank with a flapper valve provided in the overflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Mayu Okubo, Yoshikazu Ushijima, Yuichi Sato, Yoshinobu Kato, Ryosuke Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8205276
    Abstract: A dual flush volume pressurized flush device. A pressurized tank includes a tray for controllably retaining water during a flush event. The tray retains a certain volume of water when a reduced flush is activated, such that the entire volume of the tank is not flushed. In a full flush event, the activation causes substantially the entire volume of the tank to be flushed, including the volume of water inside the tray. A controllable water retention tray valve is positioned in the tray and provides a controllable release for the water in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Ming Ge, Amer Mansour, Jerry Sobolewski, Phil Wenzel
  • Patent number: 8151378
    Abstract: This invention is a toilet flushing system. It consists of a button controlled pressure flushing device, a sealed water tank, a flushing valve, major and minor flushing control valves, an air induce device and a one-way water valve. The characteristic of the system is that the button controlled pressure flushing device has a water-volume adjustable valve, a flushing valve with a sealed cavity which has a water injection pipe and a water release pipe. The inlet and the outlet of the water-volume adjustable valve are connected to the outlet of the one-way water valve and water injection pipe of the flushing valve respectively. The inlets of the major and minor flushing control valve are connected to the water release pipe of the flushing valve. The outlets of the major and minor control valves are linked to the main release outlet which has large diameter and high speed on-off action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Xiao-Qing Dong
  • Patent number: 8142572
    Abstract: A lavatory pan washing apparatus includes a water supply unit supplying washing water into a rim so that a whirling flow is formed in a lavatory bowl, an air inlet pipe connected to a water discharge channel continuing to the downstream side of a water sealing portion of a pan, an air sucking unit sucking air through the pipe from the channel, and a control unit configured to activate the water supply unit at a time of washing of the pan so that the washing water is supplied into the water sealing portion. The control unit is configured to start activation of the air sucking unit after rise of a water level in the lavatory bowl, so that air is sucked through the pipe from the channel. The control unit is configured to deactivate the water supply unit after air has flowed through the air inlet pipe into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shirai, Osamu Matsumoto, Aki Shirako, Haruo Yamasaki, Kenichi Ito, Yasuhiro Kondo, Ken Hirabayashi, Atsushi Ito
  • Publication number: 20110239359
    Abstract: A pressurized device for toilets a gravity type flusher includes a water intake, a manual relief valve, a fill valve, a pressurized chamber-drain valve and a pressurized chamber-flush valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Hugo Arturo Flores Leija
  • Patent number: 7975324
    Abstract: A dual flush volume pressurized flush device. A pressurized tank includes a tray for controllably retaining water during a flush event. The tray retains a certain volume of water when a reduced flush is activated, such that the entire volume of the tank is not flushed. In a full flush event, the activation causes substantially the entire volume of the tank to be flushed, including the volume of water inside the tray. A controllable water retention tray valve is positioned in the tray and provides a controllable release for the water in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Ming Ge, Amer Mansour, Jerry Sobolewski, Phil Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20100299822
    Abstract: An air activated toilet flush system, including: a toilet bowl; a reservoir; a fluid conduit between the reservoir and the toilet bowl; a system for supplying water into the reservoir; and a system for supplying air into the reservoir, wherein a supply of air into the reservoir causes fluid to flow from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and into the toilet bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Vargas, Brian Lamb, Tom Stout, Eric Bennett, Tuan Le
  • Publication number: 20100275361
    Abstract: A lavatory unit (10) comprising a tank body (12) connected to a pressurised water supply (20), and flushing means (14, 21, 23) for releasing water from the tank body via an outlet to a lavatory bowl (11). The flushing means includes an elastic bladder (21) the interior of which is in communication with the tank, the tank being generally sealed otherwise, such that the bladder stressed with the expansion of air forced from the tank as the tank fills with water and the bladder relaxes elastically as the tank empties, and thereby assists in ejecting the water under pressure from the tank to provide a better flushing action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Sean Redmond, Thomas Redmond, Jacqueline Redmond, Richard White
  • Publication number: 20100218309
    Abstract: A multi-path discharge feed for a pressurized flush system of a water closet. The discharge feed fluidly connected to the pressurizable flush tank includes an inlet and a first outlet and a second outlet. Contents of the pressurizable flush tank are received via the inlet and distributed between a wash portion directed to the first outlet and a flush portion directed to the second outlet. The first outlet is fluidly connected to a plurality of wash jets. The second outlet is fluidly connected to a flush jet. The volume of fluid directed to the wash portion and the flush portion may be controlled by selecting the area of the first outlet and the area of second outlet, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Amer Mansour, Jerry Sobolewski
  • Publication number: 20100212078
    Abstract: This invention is a toilet flushing system. It consists of a button controlled pressure flushing device, a sealed water tank, a flushing valve, major and minor flushing control valves, an air induce device and a one-way water valve. The characteristic of the system is that the button controlled pressure flushing device has a water-volume adjustable valve, a flushing valve with a sealed cavity which has a water injection pipe and a water release pipe. The inlet and the outlet of the water-volume adjustable valve are connected to the outlet of the one-way water valve and water injection pipe of the flushing valve respectively. The inlets of the major and minor flushing control valve are connected to the water release pipe of the flushing valve. The outlets of the major and minor control valves are linked to the main release outlet which has large diameter and high speed on-off action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Xiao-Qing Dong
  • Publication number: 20100186157
    Abstract: A toilet system including a bowl and a tank configured to hold water and air and deliver water to the bowl. The tank includes a water inlet and outlet. A valve having a seal pivots between an open position and a closed position where the seal closes the outlet. A lever positioned outside of the tank pivots to push the valve out of the closed position and towards the open position such that the outlet is opened and water flows out of the tank into the bowl. The valve rotates to the open position as water flows from the tank until the weight of the seal causes the valve to pivot back to the closed position. A plunger extends into the tank and applies a force that pushes the valve away from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: John O. Roeser
  • Publication number: 20100132105
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flush toilet for simplifying structures used for backflow prevention and the like, and for reducing the number of parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: TOTO Ltd.
    Inventors: Mayu Okubo, Yoshikazu Ushijima, Yuichi Sato, Yoshinobu Kato, Ryosuke Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7694355
    Abstract: A pressure vessel at least includes a main vessel, an air entry valve, a water entry valve, a drain valve and a control valve. The drain valve is provided with a valve base set on the top of the main vessel, a piston unit inserted inside the valve base able to be moved upwards and a spring installed between the piston member and the valve base. In addition, the pressured water in the main vessel coming from the water entry valve and the air entry valve can be stored in the control valve and guided to a chamber between the piston unit and the valve base, enabling the piston member to surpasses the elasticity and the water pressure to move up to separate from a drain exit of the main vessel for flushing a toilet. Therefore, the present invention has a simple structure, easy to assemble, preventing accidental flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp. (GUIC)
    Inventor: Tsung-Yi Lo
  • Publication number: 20100077544
    Abstract: A flush toilet in which an appropriate amount of water is supplied and that can be installed in an area where water pressure is low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Mayu Okubo, Yoshikazu Ushijima, Yuichi Sato, Yoshinobu Kato, Ryosuke Hayashi, Ayako Harada
  • Patent number: 7653951
    Abstract: A flushing device comprising an evacuation fitting (6) that is provided with a sealing member (7) within a pressurized container (2). The sealing member (7) is lifted counter to the pressure of a piston (16) in order to initiate the flushing process. A connecting device (39) for a water pipe (24) is disposed on the container (2). The flushing device further comprises a structure (49, 50) for flushing with a partial quantity of the flushing water. For example, the structure (49, 50) is provided with a power-loaded part (50) which moves the valve member (7) down onto the valve seat (5) of the evacuation fitting (6) when the flushing process is interrupted. In an alternative embodiment, two chambers are provided, only one of which is emptied during partial flushing. Flushing water can be conserved by the fact that the flushing process can be interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventors: Albert Gübeli, Mario Von Ballmoos, Peter Schmucki, Stefan Grob
  • Publication number: 20090313750
    Abstract: A flush toilet device has a toilet body having a bowl section, rim water discharge opening, a jet water discharge opening, and a discharge water trap conduit. A pressurizing pump is provided for pressurizing flush water contained in a cistern to supply it to the jet water discharge opening. A pump controller regulates the operation and rotation speed of the pressurizing pump to regulate the flow speed and flow rate of flush water discharged from the jet water discharge opening so that flush water at a first flow rate for generating a siphon effect is discharged and then at a second flow rate is discharged at the end of the siphon effect generated by the first flow rate. The second flow rate having a flow speed that can carry away human wastes and causes the siphon effect to continue by closing the cross section of any portion of the discharge water trap conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Mayu Okubo, Yoshikazu Ushijima, Yuichi Sato, Yoshinobu Kato, Ryosuke Hayashi, Shinji Shibata
  • Patent number: 7617545
    Abstract: An apparatus for initiating a flush of a pressure assisted toilet includes a generally cylindrical housing having a top end, a bottom end, an internal surface and a discharge aperture having a first predetermined area. The apparatus also includes a first member at least partially interposed within the housing and having a plurality of apertures formed therein; a second member at least partially interposed within the housing and having a generally cylindrical hollow body with a top opening, a tapered upper portion adjacent the top opening, a sealing portion, and a lower extension defining a lower opening; a stem portion extending at least partially through the first member and the second member; and a first flow path extending at least from the bottom end of the housing, through at least one of the plurality of apertures formed in the first member, and through the lower opening of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Water Control Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond Bruce Martin
  • Publication number: 20090222981
    Abstract: An integrated domestic utility system is used to recycle grey water in a domestic house as a means to divert treated potable water away from non-potable uses, and in particular, toilet flushing. The system comprises a rainwater tank for storing rainwater collected from a roof top and a grey water tank to store grey water collected from a shower or bathtub. The rainwater is used to augment the grey water supply through a self regulating valve. Domestic water can also be used to replenish the grey water tank. A demand amount of grey water is pumped from the storage tank to at least one toilet tank. The system is controlled by a controller using pressure sensors and temperature sensors. The invention may include a solar heating circuit coupled to a domestic water heater. In one example of the invention, the system stores grey water in a bathtub and supplies it to toilet tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Reinoud Jacob HARTMAN
  • Publication number: 20090151062
    Abstract: An apparatus for initiating a flush of a pressure assisted toilet includes a generally cylindrical housing having a top end, a bottom end, an internal surface and a discharge aperture having a first predetermined area. The apparatus also includes a first member at least partially interposed within the housing and having a plurality of apertures formed therein; a second member at least partially interposed within the housing and having a generally cylindrical hollow body with a top opening, a tapered upper portion adjacent the top opening, a sealing portion, and a lower extension defining a lower opening; a stem portion extending at least partially through the first member and the second member; and a first flow path extending at least from the bottom end of the housing, through at least one of the plurality of apertures formed in the first member, and through the lower opening of the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Raymond Bruce Martin
  • Publication number: 20090144889
    Abstract: A toilet that applies pressured air between an upper trap (30) that connects to the toilet bowl and a lower trap (32) that connects to a drain (16), includes a pressured air source (42) that holds a large volume of pressured air equal to at least 30% of the volume of the trapway passage (34) that connects the traps. The pressured air source includes a container (70) with its top coupled though a conduit (90) to the trapway passage, and with air in the container top compressed by water rising in the container after each flushing. The container top lies at least as high as the full water level (52) in the toilet tank when the toilet tank is full.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Philip Hennessay
  • Patent number: 7322053
    Abstract: A toilet-flushing (1) device comprises a container (2) divided by an elastic diaphragm (3) with a direct unrestricted connection to a water supply under pressure at the lower part of the container (2), with a flushing valve (15) also in the lower part of the container. The water distends the diaphragm (3) so that when the flushing valve (15) is opened, the diaphragm (3) ejects the flushing water fast, allowing a small volume flush to effectively clear the toilet trap (2) and sewer. Extension of the diaphragm can be reduced by having two diaphragms (55), (56), each providing half the flush volume by their extension. Substantial water saving is enabled. A water pressure actuated valve (35) that is well adapted for application to this device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: George Alexander Whitehead
  • Patent number: 7299508
    Abstract: A pressurized flush system includes a pressure water vessel having an inlet and an outlet. An infill valve, an open valve, and a flush valve are provided with the flush valve disposed within the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the infill valve and the open valve. The flush valve includes a hollow valve body and cooperating pistons controlling water discharge from the water vessel outlet. The cooperating pistons are disposed within the hollow valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Patent number: 7272864
    Abstract: The flushing flow distributor has a first channel (21) which is to be connected to a discharge (45) of the flushing cistern (4), and a second and a third channel (24, 25, 69). The second channel (24) and the third channel (25) are in each case to be connected to a toilet bowl (10). The first channel (21) has a nozzle (17, 18, 19, 55, 62) which outputs the water to the two other channels (24, 25, 69). The nozzle (17, 18, 19, 55, 62) is preferably designed as a free jet nozzle. The flushing flow distributor is preferably designed as a pipe interrupter. It is preferably used on a pressurized flushing cistern (4) and permits flushing with less flushing water while at the same time requiring less space and with a flushing action which is at least ample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventors: Stefan Grob, David Drexel, Abdullah Oengören
  • Patent number: 7171701
    Abstract: The pressure-flushing device comprises a pressure vessel (2), which, for receiving flushing water, has a pressure chamber (D). The pressure chamber (D) can be filled with flushing water by means of an inlet valve (7). The pressure chamber (D) consists of cylindrical pressure chamber regions (D1, D2, D3) which are interconnected in a lower region of the pressure vessel (2). The pressure chamber regions (D1, D2, D3) are preferably formed by cylindrical walls (Z1, Z2, Z3), these walls being essentially circular in horizontal section. The pressure vessel (2) can be made from plastic and is both pressure-stable and compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kuster, Peter Reichmuth
  • Patent number: 7137156
    Abstract: A portable lavatory, which is easily loaded into a freight box of a truck and is maintained in a stable loaded state in the freight box during transportation, is disclosed. In the portable lavatory (10), the capacities of both a fresh water tank (20) and a foul water tank (30) of a tank unit (12) are altered in inverse proportion to each other. The tank unit (12), integrated with a lower end of a lavatory facility unit (11), has a width and length shorter than those of the lavatory facility unit, thus being stepped inward from the lower end of the lavatory facility unit. The fresh water tank (20) and the foul water tank (30) are assembled with each other at flanged open ends thereof into a single structure, with a variable tank (40) provided in a junction part between the two tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Jinsung Mobile Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung Joon Yang
  • Patent number: 7096517
    Abstract: A flushing device includes a cistern, in which at least one pressure chamber is arranged with a supply line for water and a discharge valve. At least part of the flushing water may be pressurised in the pressure chamber and may be discharged for flushing through the discharge valve. At least one pressure cylinder unit is provided, in which the flushing water may be pressurised and discharged for flushing, by means of a spring-loaded pressure piston. The pressure piston is preferably held in a starting position and may be released for a flushing execution. Should two pressure cylinder units be provided, either a partial or a complete flushing operation may be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventors: Albert Gübeli, Mario Von Ballmoos
  • Patent number: 7010816
    Abstract: A pressure assisted dual flush operating system includes a vessel for receiving, containing and discharging pressurized water and an outlet for discharge of water from said vessel. An anti-siphon valve includes an air inlet for introducing water into said vessel and an inlet valve is provided for admitting water to the anti-siphon valve. A dual flush valve selectively releases different quantities of water from said vessel through the vessel outlet and a control valve selects one of the different quantities of water released by the dual flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Patent number: 6907623
    Abstract: A pressurized water closet flushing system for flushing a toilet includes a water vessel having at least one opening for receiving water. A fill tube and a discharge tube extending into the vessel are secured to the vessel. A modular assembly cap including an intake and an actuator covers the opening. The fill tube remains secured to the vessel when the assembly cap is removed from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventor: Thomas P. Beh
  • Patent number: 6834399
    Abstract: A pressure vessel has a tank portion for preserving water and a drain mechanism mounted on the tank portion. An outlet is defined at a bottom of the tank portion for draining water. A through hole is defined at a top of the tank portion and corresponding to the outlet for mounting the drain mechanism thereon. The drain mechanism includes a hollow pipe and a separating plate extending horizontally from an inner side and near a top of the hollow pipe. An actuator is assembled on a top of the separating plate for manual operation and has a first resilient element mounted therein. At least a pivot element pivotably connects with the actuator and each forms an anchor at a lower end thereof. A pole extends longitudinally through an interior of the hollow pipe. The pole forms a flange at a top thereof, and defines at least a groove near the flange for latching the anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Tsung-Yi Lo
  • Publication number: 20040194200
    Abstract: A pressure assisted dual flush operating system includes a vessel for receiving, containing and discharging pressurized water and an outlet for discharge of water from said vessel. An anti-siphon valve includes an air inlet for introducing water into said vessel and an inlet valve is provided for admitting water to the anti-siphon valve. A dual flush valve selectively releases different quantities of water from said vessel through the vessel outlet and a control valve selects one of the different quantities of water released by the dual flush valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Publication number: 20040187201
    Abstract: A toilet-flushing (1) device comprises a container (2) divided by an elastic diaphragm (3) with a direct unrestricted connection to a water supply under pressure at the lower part of the container (2), with a flushing valve (15) also in the lower part of the container. The water distends the diaphragm (3) so that when the flushing valve (15) is opened, the diaphragm (3) ejects the flushing water fast, allowing a small volume flush to effectively clear the toilet trap (2) and sewer. Extension of the diaphragm can be reduced by having two diaphragms (55), (56), each providing half the flush volume by their extension. Substantial water saving is enabled. A water pressure actuated valve (35) that is well adapted for application to this device is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: George Alexander Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20040128753
    Abstract: A flushing device includes a cistern, in which at least one pressure chamber is arranged with a supply line for water and a discharge valve. At least part of the flushing water may be pressurised in the pressure chamber and may be discharged for flushing through the discharge valve. At least one pressure cylinder unit is provided, in which the flushing water may be pressurised and discharged for flushing, by means of a spring-loaded pressure piston. The pressure piston is preferably held in a starting position and may be released for a flushing execution. Should two pressure cylinder units be provided, either a partial or a complete flushing operation may be selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Albert Gubeli, Mario Von Ballmos
  • Publication number: 20040064880
    Abstract: A pressurized water closet flushing system for flushing a toilet includes a water vessel having at least one opening for receiving water. A fill tube and a discharge tube extending into the vessel are secured to the vessel. A modular assembly cap including an intake and an actuator covers the opening. The fill tube remains secured to the vessel when the assembly cap is removed from the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: W/C Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas P. Beh
  • Patent number: 6647559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flushing unit for a toilet which allows water in a flushing tank to be discharged rapidly by means of the change of water pressure and working of a piston, so that only a small quantity of water is required to wash out the toilet and thus consumption of water can be significantly reduced. The flushing unit for the toilet according to the present invention uses only about 15 to 20% of flushing water compared to a conventional flushing unit, but it can satisfactorily and rapidly wash the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jae Mo Lee
  • Publication number: 20030145370
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flushing unit for a toilet which allows water in a flushing tank to be discharged rapidly by means of the change of water pressure and working of a piston, so that only a small quantity of water is required to wash out the toilet and thus consumption of water can be significantly reduced. The flushing unit for the toilet according to the present invention uses only about 15 to 20% of flushing water compared to a conventional flushing unit, but it can satisfactorily and rapidly wash the toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Jae Mo Lee