Valved Dischage Patents (Class 4/434)
  • Patent number: 10640962
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the waste outlet of a toilet includes, according to an implementation, a motor comprising a Hall effect sensor that detects the rotation of the motor and generates a position signal in response thereto; a mechanical actuator coupled to the motor; a door coupled to the mechanical actuator, wherein the door is disposed at the waste outlet of the toilet; logic circuitry that receives the position signal, generates a control signal to move the door based at least in part on the position signal, and transmits the control signal to the motor. The motor operates according to the control signal to drive the mechanical actuator to move the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Thao Hoang, Bradley J. Buniak, Christian C. Kurshinsky, Stephen M. Niznik, William Pedersen, Mark A. Pondelick
  • Patent number: 10208468
    Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of a toilet system on-board an aircraft is disclosed. The toilet system includes a toilet bowl, a fluid valve controlling input of fluid into the toilet bowl, a flush switch configured to be activated by a user, and a controller configured to operate the fluid valve. The method includes detecting an activation of the flush switch, monitoring a flush switch activation time period, and determining whether the flush switch activation time period exceeds a preset threshold time period. In response to determining that flush switch activation time period does not exceed the preset threshold time period, a standard flush cycle is initiated. In response to determining that the flush switch activation time period exceeds the preset threshold time period, a maintenance mode is initiated allowing a larger volume of fluid to fill the toilet bowl for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hardwick, Thao Hoang, Bradley J. Buniak, Christian C. Kurshinsky, William Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10066380
    Abstract: A valve for a toilet includes an inlet and a gate configured to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. The gate includes an at least partially spherical surface and is configured to pivot eccentrically relative to the spherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
  • Patent number: 8978173
    Abstract: A portable toilet has a bowl, a seat, and legs. The legs are telescopically extensible to allow positioning of the height of the bowl and wheels are mounted to the lower ends of the legs. The legs are spaced apart for fitting on opposite sides of a conventional building toilet and placing the bowl above the conventional toilet. The bowl has an open lower end which is enclosed by a slide door which is moved to open the lower end of the bowl and allow the contents of the bowl to spill therefrom into the conventional toilet. The contents of the bowl fall through the open lower end of the bowl and into the conventional building toilet. Preferably, pneumatic spring assist or an electric linear actuator are provided to aid in lifting and lowering the bowl after use. Water is provided for sweeping waste from within the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Eugene G Lederer, Federico E Vierheller
  • Patent number: 8869317
    Abstract: This invention discloses a buoyancy operation mechanism for a sewage suction device used in toilet. The mechanism includes: a water tank bottom plate that contains a lower leading pole and a second pulley, the tank wall having an aperture and a first pulley; an upper cover plate having an upper leading pole and a third pulley; a hollow floating box with either a rectangular or circular cross section wherein its center is equipped with a leading hole, a limiting barrier, a first hoist ring and a second hoist ring; a base plate that having a fourth pulley; and a top cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Guoqing Gu
  • Patent number: 8769731
    Abstract: A vacuum toilet and a method for operating a vacuum toilet, wherein generating negative pressure to remove solids by suction is also used for generating a desired flushing medium flow. To this effect, if necessary, guiding devices are used which influence a flow upstream of a nozzle outlet and downstream of a nozzle outlet such that flow optimization of the flushing medium can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Seibt
  • Publication number: 20140041109
    Abstract: A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Joseph Stauber, Peter W. Denzin, Benjamin Marotz
  • Publication number: 20140020168
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures with a valve actuator for automatically controlling pivoting of a flush valve, and methods of calibrating movement of the flush valve, are disclosed. The motor of the valve actuator may be positioned between the bowl of the fixture and a leg of a trapway to provide compact assembly. A belt drive laterally extending along the trapway links the motor to the flush valve. The method of calibrating includes establishing stop points which are at positions of less resistance than hard stop positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Blake, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Patent number: 8607370
    Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention provides for a flush valve for controlling the vacuum evacuation of waste from a receptacle. The flush valve comprises an inlet port for receiving the waste from the receptacle, an outlet port opposite the inlet port and in fluid communication therewith, a source of vacuum connected to the outlet port and a uniquely designed discharge disk disposed between the inlet and outlet ports for interrupting the flow of fluid therebetween. In the preferred embodiment the flush valve is integral with a latticed panel of the waste receptacle stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Thao Hoang, Mark A. Pondelick, Christopher Hardwick, Robin Whitt, Greg King
  • Patent number: 8555428
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures with a valve actuator for automatically controlling pivoting of a flush valve, and methods of calibrating movement of the flush valve, are disclosed. The motor of the valve actuator may be positioned between the bowl of the fixture and a leg of a trapway to provide compact assembly. A belt drive laterally extending along the trapway links the motor to the flush valve. The method of calibrating includes establishing stop points which are at positions of less resistance than hard stop positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Blake, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Patent number: 8516623
    Abstract: Tilting Bowl Toilet comprises a frame, a toilet basin, and a tilting bowl. The tilting bowl is supported below the toilet basin to receive and hold water/waste delivered from the toilet basin. The tilting bowl tilts to discharge its content to drainage. The tilting bowl at standby is sustained to stay in a horizontal position by a sustaining turning moment about its support axis. When water is added, the turning moment produced by the tilting bowl with its content becomes larger than the sustaining turning moment, and the tilting bowl moves to a tilted position to discharge its content. As the tilting bowl tilts, the sustaining turning moment is simultaneously reduced to accelerate bowl tilting for efficient discharge of waste to sewage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Shu-Ki Yeung
  • Patent number: 8490222
    Abstract: A low-water-flow toilet having a toilet body, a funnel, a floating ball with a pull wire, water sealing structures, a toilet seat with a rotating shaft, an upper cover, and a plastic fender cover. The water sealing structures include an inner water sealing trap (11) of the toilet body, an outer water sealing trap (12) of the toilet body, a rotating groove arranged on the inner side of the inner water sealing trap (11), and a rotating groove arranged on an outer side of the outer water sealing trap (11). A low-water-flow urinal, having a urine storage bottle (18), a funnel having a water sealing trap (20), a floating ball with a pull wire and a pull ring (21), and an upper cover (23) of the urine storage bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Tianjin Wanlu Limited Company of Science and Technology
    Inventor: Nianlu Liu
  • Patent number: 8490223
    Abstract: A toilet includes a bowl with a receptacle to receive waste, with a secondary chamber, and with an opening in the receptacle to allow the waste to pass to the secondary chamber; a rinse pump that turns on to add an amount of rinsing water for cleaning the bowl; a flexible self cleaning gasket configured around the opening formed in the receptacle; a bowl valve that has a sealing part having a rounded shape, rotates to a closed position that creates a sealed effect between the sealing part and the gasket trapping the waste and rinsing water in the receptacle of the bowl and sealing odors in the secondary chamber, and also rotates to an open position that sweeps the sealing part to be swept across the gasket and allowing the waste to pass to the secondary chamber. The solenoid rotates the bowl valve between the closed to open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Flow Control LLC
    Inventor: William A. Gell, III
  • Patent number: 8418715
    Abstract: A control system for a purge valve that can be actuated by low pressure, which can be used for a low pressure or vacuum waste water system, encompassing a first valve and a second valve. The purge valve can be actuated as a function of its position, and the accumulated waste water can be drawn off via the sewage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Roediger Vacuum GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20130055498
    Abstract: A toilet includes a bowl with a receptacle to receive waste, with a secondary chamber, and with an opening in the receptacle to allow the waste to pass to the secondary chamber; a rinse pump that turns on to add an amount of rinsing water for cleaning the bowl; a flexible self cleaning gasket configured around the opening formed in the receptacle; a bowl valve that has a sealing part having a rounded shape, rotates to a closed position that creates a sealed effect between the sealing part and the gasket trapping the waste and rinsing water in the receptacle of the bowl and sealing odors in the secondary chamber, and also rotates to an open position that sweeps the sealing part to be swept across the gasket and allowing the waste to pass to the secondary chamber. The solenoid rotates the bowl valve between the closed to open positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: FLOW CONTROL LLC
    Inventor: William A. GELL, III
  • Patent number: 8307470
    Abstract: A toilet bowl system comprising an electric spigot, an electric valve, and a control unit for controlling said electric spigot and said electric valve, and for operatively synchronizing said electric spigot with said electric valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Nir Abadi
  • Publication number: 20120278986
    Abstract: A valve for a toilet includes an inlet and a gate configured to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. The gate includes an at least partially spherical surface and is configured to pivot eccentrically relative to the spherical surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
  • Patent number: 8230533
    Abstract: Disclosed are trap valve assemblies for controlling flow from a toilet bowl to a trap way. In one form there is a cartridge unit positionable immediately below a toilet bowl discharge outlet. It has a pivotable gate in a form of a spherical segment. The gate has an eccentric pivoting motion so that it can swing from an open position to a blocking/closing position in which it fully contacts a sealing gasket. The spherical segment has a leading edge which is approximately between +40° and ?40° from vertical when the gate is in an open position, to minimize the energy required to close the gate. In another form a ball and socket connection to the gate valve facilitates sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
  • Patent number: 8185977
    Abstract: A system for flushing a vacuum toilet, includes a drain that is connected to a drain conduit, which vacuum toilet is connectable to a vacuum system by way of a suction valve. With the use of a combined valve including, for example, a flow-optimised intermediate storage device, inflow nozzle, bypass conduit with silencer and hose odor seal, the flow noises at the urinal bowl drain, urinal bowl overflow and upper end of the bypass conduit can be effectively suppressed. With the combination disc valve or the shut-off valve and suction valve, during the suction process the air stream is only drawn through the bypass conduit with a special odor seal and silencer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Seibt
  • Publication number: 20120066826
    Abstract: My invention for replacing the flush toilet and water closet, utilizes a slipjoint water trap that is a distinct and separate moving part of the toilet bowl. First the pathway of the trap is re-configured as in drawing #3. Then the slipjoint water trap is connected to the toilet bowl using two slipjoint connecters. The bowl outlet mates with the trap inlet and the trap outlet mates with the waste depository inlet. The faces of these four lets are all parallel to each other in both dimensions and share a common axis. A cable mechanism can then be installed to rotate the slipjoint trap down 90 degrees from the vertical. This will establish an inclined pathway to the sewer, all waste will then flow down stream, by the force of gravity exerted on the waste itself. In effect I lower the weir of the trap instead of raising the waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Arnold Molina
  • Patent number: 8065756
    Abstract: Tilting Bowl Toilet comprises a frame, a toilet basin, and a tilting bowl. The tilting bowl is supported below the toilet basin to receive and hold water/waste delivered from the toilet basin. The tilting bowl tilts to discharge its content to drainage. The tilting bowl at standby is sustained to stay in a horizontal position by forces applied to the tilting bowl creating a resultant sustaining turning moment about its support axis. When the turning moment produced by the tilting bowl with its content becomes larger than the sustaining turning moment, the tilting bowl moves to a tilted position to discharge its content. The effective support axis shifts with respect to the tilting bowl as guided by a motion guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Shu-Ki Yeung
  • Publication number: 20110113543
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures with a valve actuator for automatically controlling pivoting of a flush valve, and methods of calibrating movement of the flush valve, are disclosed. The motor of the valve actuator may be positioned between the bowl of the fixture and a leg of a trapway to provide compact assembly. A belt drive laterally extending along the trapway links the motor to the flush valve. The method of calibrating includes establishing stop points which are at positions of less resistance than hard stop positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: JOSEPH S. BLAKE, JOSEPH L. STAUBER
  • Publication number: 20110113542
    Abstract: A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph Stauber, Peter W. Denzin, Ben Marotz
  • Publication number: 20110094024
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a base and a bowl assembly defining a bowl. The bowl assembly is mounted to the base and defines a discharge opening at a lower end of the bowl. A waste ball valve assembly is mounted to the flush toilet for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening of the bowl assembly. A common sealing member operates to seal the bowl to the base and to wipe a ball of the waste ball valve assembly as the waste ball valve assembly is selectively opened and closed. The common sealing member has a generally horizontal portion for wiping the ball of the ball valve assembly and a compressible cylindrical portion upwardly extending from the generally horizontal portion. The cylindrical portion is compressed between the base and the bowl to define a seal therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Grech, Michael Fritz, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Craig Karagitz, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 7886374
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a passively discharging and water-saving toilet bowl having an operation mechanism in which all parts are accurately operated as well as a water supply controlling mechanism by which the water level in a water reservoir can be controlled arbitrarily. The toilet bowl, having an operation mechanism conducted with an operation unit comprising: a first operation unit, operated with a manipulation lever, communicating both with a stool-discharging piston for opening or closing a stool-discharging pipe and with a flap valve for opening or closing a water reservoir; and a second operation unit, operating in response to the position of a float for controlling the water level of the water reservoir in such a manner that the second operation unit is connected to and separated from the first operation unit when the float is situated at an upper position and a lower position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: 3-Liter Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Se Jun
  • Publication number: 20100319117
    Abstract: A toilet bowl system comprising an electric spigot, an electric valve, and a control unit for controlling said electric spigot and said electric valve, and for operatively synchronizing said electric spigot with said electric valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Nir Abadi
  • Patent number: 7845028
    Abstract: Vacuum sewer system comprising a source of sewage (101), sewer piping (102), a discharge valve (103) between the source of sewage and the sewer piping, means (104) for generating partial vacuum in the sewer piping, and a control means for controlling the operation of the discharge valve. The control means comprises a control mechanism (105) with a body part defining a series of chambers including a first end chamber and a second end chamber, wherein the first end chambers is provided with an activating means (106). The body part (12) is provided with a first port (8) for communication with a source of vacuum (102), a second port (9) for communication with the discharge valve (103) and a third port (10) for communication with an aeration means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Evac International Oy
    Inventor: Gunnar Lindroos
  • Publication number: 20100287692
    Abstract: Disclosed is a toilet (1) comprising a toilet bowl (2), a passage which extends from the base of the toilet bowl to a drain outlet (30), and a gate (100), the gate having an open position which allows water within the toilet bowl to flow out of the drain outlet by way of the passage and a closed position in which the gate retains a continuous body of water (98) within the toilet bowl and a portion of the passage, up to a fill level (96), the toilet further comprising a divider (19) arranged to close off the passage above the fill level and to extend below the fill level at a location intermediate the toilet bowl and the water line (100) where the surface of the continuous body of water contacts the gate, to form a water trap in use when the gate is in the closed position and water is retained up to the fill level. The gate may be a flap operated by a hydraulic actuator (36), responsive to operation of a manually operable flush control, using mains water as the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: STRAIGHT FLUSH LIMITED
    Inventor: William Hugh Salvin Rampen
  • Publication number: 20100229295
    Abstract: A water control tubular portion is fixed to the forward end of a discharge hose body. The water control tubular portion is a tubular body or an inverted funnel-like (trumpet-like) tubular body and has water control sections inside it. The water control sections are arranged zigzag so that the amount of discharge of an object (e.g. sewage) becomes as constant as possible and the speed of the discharge can be made slackened. Since the amount of discharge of the object from the forward end of the discharge hose body becomes substantially constant by the water control tubular section and the speed (flow speed) of the discharge is slackened, the forward end of the discharge hose is not fluttered by the pressure of a fluid object (sewage) sent under pressure from a simple toilet device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Hiranuma, Masahiko Hashimoto, Shigenori Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7770241
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sewer system including a sewage receptacle, sewer piping connected to the sewage receptacle by means of a discharge valve, a mechanism for generating vacuum in the sewer piping, and a control mechanism for controlling the discharge valve. In order to achieve a more rapid closing of the discharge valve after discharge of the sewage from the sewage receptacle, the vacuum sewer system further comprises an aeration device in direct fluid communication with the discharge valve. The control mechanism is arranged to control the aeration device. Also disclosed is a discharge valve (2) for such a vacuum sewer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Evac International Oy
    Inventors: Vesa Lappalainen, Gunnar Lindroos, Kaj Ronnblad
  • Patent number: 7765625
    Abstract: A flush toilet assembly includes a bowl assembly defining a bowl and a base supporting the bowl assembly. One of the bowl assembly and the base may include a male coupling element and the other may include a cooperating female coupling element. A flush lever may be interconnected to the base for movement between first and second positions and may include a cam surface. A water valve may include a cam follower associated with the cam surface and may be moveable from a closed to an open position through cooperative engagement of the cam surface and cam follower in response to movement of the flush lever from the first to the second position. The base may integrally define a flush water path extending between an inlet port and an outlet port. The water valve may be disposed within a recess defined by the base which intersects the flush water path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Sheryar Durrani, Greg Exner, William R. Cohoon
  • Publication number: 20080244819
    Abstract: The present toilet relates to devices for removing clogs from drains and hand operated toilet plungers. More particularly the present invention concerns a toilet which when clogged can clear the clog automatically. With one push of a valve or turning a valve, clogs are moved and eliminated. The toilet contains within the toilet base a plunger or means to clear the obstructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: David Meador
  • Publication number: 20080072372
    Abstract: Disclosed are trap valve assemblies for controlling flow from a toilet bowl to a trap way. In one form there is a cartridge unit positionable immediately below a toilet bowl discharge outlet. It has a pivotable gate in a form of a spherical segment. The gate has an eccentric pivoting motion so that it can swing from an open position to a blocking/closing position in which it fully contacts a sealing gasket. The spherical segment has a leading edge which is approximately between +40° and ?40° from vertical when the gate is in an open position, to minimize the energy required to close the gate. In another form a ball and socket connection to the gate valve facilitates sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
  • Patent number: 7331069
    Abstract: A water-saving flush toilet is disclosed. A discharge seal valve is arranged at a sewage discharge port, a discharge seal valve together with a valve cover are arranged at a valve seat. A water tap handle at the lower of the bowl is provided with a lever, a cord is connected between a handle of the valve cover and the lever via a joint of the bowl. The lever is also connected to another cord that is connected to a weight via said two joints. The upper of the bowl is arranged with a water channel and a sprinkler head, an open of said water channel connected to the water tap at the lower of the bowl via a connecting plastic tube, water pipes are arranged respectively at the upper and the lower of the bowl without any water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Hunghing Chu
  • Patent number: 7171216
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting a wireless network includes receiving at a mobile device a signal having data indicative of a location of the mobile device. A determination is made whether the mobile device is within the coverage area of a specified network based on the data. The mobile device scans for the specified network in response to at least determining that it is within the coverage area of the specified network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ojas T Choksi
  • Patent number: 6981285
    Abstract: A toilet and toilet system suitable for a boat, recreational vehicle, bus or the like is operated via a microprocessor controller to effect a convenient and efficient operation. The toilet includes a base assembly having an electrically-operated flush valve that opens and closes a passage to a waste receiving area. A flush lever assembly has a flush lever displaceable from a neutral position toward one of a “flush” position and an “add water” position. In this context, the flush lever initiates a flush cycle in the “flush” position and initiates an add water cycle in the “add water” position. The controller communicates with a water inlet valve, the flush valve and the flush lever assembly. In operation, the controller opens and closes the water inlet valve and controls a position of the flush valve in accordance with a position of the flush lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Dometic Sanitation Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Sigler, Nathan A. Snyder, Robert D. Krieder, Steven L. Miko, Randall Thomas
  • Patent number: 6977005
    Abstract: A waterless vacuum toilet system for an aircraft includes a toilet bowl connected via a suction valve and a waste collection pipe to a waste collection tank. Waste-contacting surfaces that come into contact with urine and fecal waste are coated with an adhesion-inhibiting or adhesion-reducing nanocoating. The adhesion of waste is significantly reduced, and the need for flushing water is completely eliminated. Instead, an air jet arrangement preferably including an annular ring nozzle or annular air gap directs an airflow into the toilet bowl and along the nanocoated waste-contacting surface thereof, to “air flush” the waste material from these surfaces. The flushing airflow may be induced through the air jet arrangement into the toilet bowl by the suction applied through the suction valve. The “air flushed” toilet system substantially reduces the total system weight and eliminates the need for toilet flushing water to be carried in the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Erdmann, Torsten Gienke, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
  • Patent number: 6899309
    Abstract: A beverage container support for supporting a beverage upon a component of a flush valve for use in public restroom facilities includes a support surface upon which a beverage container could be placed as well as a depending skirt that can be used as a display surface for advertisements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: David E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6883188
    Abstract: A toilet (10) and toilet system suitable for a boat, recreational vehicle, bus or the like is operated via a microprocessor controller to effect a convenient and efficient operation. The toilet includes a base assembly (30) having an electrically-operated flush valve that opens and closes a passage to a waste receiving area. A flush lever assembly (15) has flush lever displaceable from a neutral position toward one of a “flush” position and an “add water” position. In this context, the flush lever initiates a flush cycle in the “flush” position and initiates an add water cycle in the “add water” position. The controller communicates with a water inlet valve, the flush valve and the flush lever assembly. In operation, the controller opens and closes the water inlet valve and controls a position of the flush valve in accordance with a position of the flush lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: SeaLand Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Sigler, Nathan A. Snyder, Robert D. Krieder, Steven L. Miko, Randall Thomas
  • Patent number: 6804840
    Abstract: A waste transfer system includes a toilet bowl, a discharge pipe, and a hopper. The hopper is positioned between the toilet bowl and the discharge pipe. A first valve is disposed between the toilet bowl and the hopper. A second valve is disposed between the hopper and the discharge pipe. A source of fluid is in communication with the hopper for pressurizing the hopper to a predetermined pressure. A method of transferring waste through the waste transfer system includes the step of opening the first valve to permit the passage of waste from the toilet bowl to the hopper and subsequently closing the first valve. The method additionally includes the step of pressurizing the hopper while the first and second valves are closed. The method further includes the step of opening the second valve to thereby force the waste from the hopper into and through the discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventor: Claude L. Berman
  • Patent number: 6782564
    Abstract: A water-saving toilet includes a two-stage flush button, a water-storing area and a drain way formed in the interior of a toilet bowl and a valve control device positioned in the bowl and consisting of a valve, a valve cap, a drive rod, and an operating rod. The valve is positioned in water-storing area, having a passageway, with the valve cap deposited on the valve to close and open the valve. A push rod is connected under the valve cap, extending in the valve. In using, first, pressing the operating rod pushes up the valve cap to open the valve so urine with water remaining in the water-storing area flows into the drain way. Then press the flush button for a low volume of water to be flushed out in the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Shiang-Sheng Cheng
  • Patent number: 6704947
    Abstract: A discharge valve is disclosed for use in a vacuum toilet system having a waste receptacle defining an outlet and a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum. The discharge valve comprises a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and a rotatable discharge valve member disposed in the housing for selectively establishing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. A periphery of the disk valve member being formed with a series of gear teeth. An actuator is provided having a rotatable spur gear adapted to engage the periphery of the discharge valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Evac International Oy
    Inventors: Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Douglas M. Wallace, Michael B. Hancock, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Ian Tinkler
  • Publication number: 20040031092
    Abstract: “MECHANIC APPARATUS APPLIED TO THE TOILET FLUSH”, a mechanic apparatus (1) applied to the internal bottom seat (2) of toilets (B) without a siphon, supplied with water from hydraulic pipes (C) or cisterns (R), which, after the discharge caused by the mechanism, flows to the sewer system (E); the apparatus (1) comprises a dam (3) that embodies externally the seat (2) and is fixed resting by latches (4), which are released by external release driving means (5); said dam (3) presents a hinge point (6) with a corresponding counterweight (7); the dam (3), when locked and resting, can keep approximately 2 liters of water inside the toilet; when the latch (4) is released, the dam hinges up discharging the water and the sewage straight into the sewer piping (T), goes back to its resting point by means of th counterweight (7), and locks again at the ideal position. In this moment, approximately 2 liters of water from the pipe (C) or cistern (R) are liberated, refilling the toilet for new use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Dalmo Jose Peres
  • Patent number: 6668391
    Abstract: A water-saving toilet is disclosed. The water-saving toilet comprises: a toilet main body having an inlet orifice for introducing water from a water supply tube disposed at the outside of the main body, a toilet bowl for containing outside waste material and water supplied from the inlet orifice, and an outlet orifice for discharging the waster material and water in the toilet bowl; a discharge tube, one end of which is connected to the outlet orifice of the main body and the other end of which is connected to an outside outlet to serve as a discharge passage of waste material and water, including a curved portion which is movable up and down; means for moving the curved portion of the discharge tube up and down. With the water saving toilet, the waste material can be removed out of the toilet bowl with a minimum amount of water by the movement of the discharge tube. In addition, silent flushing operation is possible since open/close operation according to a siphon principle is not employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Korea Item Development Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Suk Lee, Kyeong Won Lee
  • Publication number: 20030229939
    Abstract: A waste transfer system includes a toilet bowl, a discharge pipe, and a hopper. The hopper is positioned between the toilet bowl and the discharge pipe. A first valve is disposed between the toilet bowl and the hopper. A second valve is disposed between the hopper and the discharge pipe. A source of fluid is in communication with the hopper for pressurizing the hopper to a predetermined pressure. A method of transferring waste through the waste transfer system includes the step of opening the first valve to permit the passage of waste from the toilet bowl to the hopper and subsequently closing the first valve. The method additionally includes the step of pressurizing the hopper while the first and second valves are closed. The method further includes the step of opening the second valve to thereby force the waste from the hopper into and through the discharge pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Claude L. Berman
  • Publication number: 20030121092
    Abstract: A toilet (10) and toilet system suitable for a boat, recreational vehicle, bus or the like is operated via a microprocessor controller to effect a convenient and efficient operation. The toilet includes a base assembly (30) having an electrically-operated flush valve that opens and closes a passage to a waste receiving area. A flush lever assembly (15) has flush lever displaceable from a neutral position toward one of a “flush” position and an “add water” position. In this context, the flush lever initiates a flush cycle in the “flush” position and initiates an add water cycle in the “add water” position. The controller communicates with a water inlet valve, the flush valve and the flush lever assembly. In operation, the controller opens and closes the water inlet valve and controls a position of the flush valve in accordance with a position of the flush lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Sigler, Nathan A Snyder, Robert D Krieder, Steven L Miko, Randall Thomas
  • Patent number: 6584623
    Abstract: A flush toilet having two nozzles located within its bowl. The two nozzles being oriented in opposite directions and alternately providing pulses of flush water into and around the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: George Grech, John E. Hammond, James Kenneth Miller
  • Patent number: 6536054
    Abstract: A vacuum bowl assembly for use in a vacuum toilet positioned on a support surface and having a discharge valve. The vacuum bowl assembly comprises a frame having a bottom member adapted to engage the support surface, and a top member defining a shoulder. A removable bowl is provided having a flange extending about an upper edge sized to engage the shoulder, and an outlet adapted for fluid communication with the discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Evac International Oy
    Inventors: William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Jay D. Stradinger, Douglas M. Wallace, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Michael B. Hancock, Ian Tinkler
  • Patent number: 6536055
    Abstract: A modular vacuum toilet, and a method of servicing such a toilet, are disclosed. The toilet is used with a vacuum toilet system having a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum pressure and a source of rinse fluid. The modular vacuum toilet comprises a frame and a removable bowl engaging and supported be the frame, the bowl defining an outlet and having a rinse fluid dispenser associated therewith. The modular vacuum toilet also has a valve set module. The valve set module includes a discharge valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the bowl outlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the sewer line, and a movable discharge valve member disposed between the discharge valve inlet and outlet. A rinse fluid valve is also incorporated into the valve set module and has an inlet in fluid communication with the source of rinse fluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the rinse fluid dispenser, and a movable rinse fluid valve member disposed between the rinse fluid valve inlet and outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Evac International Oy
    Inventors: Mark A. Pondelick, Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Douglas M. Wallace, Ian Tinkler, Michael B. Hancock
  • Patent number: 6496988
    Abstract: A self-contained toilet that has no water consumption and does not use chemicals. A toilet bowl cleaned by combining compressed air and liquid through jets to reduce flush volume. The flush liquid supply reclaimed through distillation. The dehydration chamber cleaned by scraping and blowing of the waste. The dehydration process coming from a highly efficient heat, air and grinding chamber. The air compressor pressurizing the tank to clean the bowl and/or empty and dehydrate the chamber contents. The compressor intake used to eliminate odors from the bowl and vent the humidity from the dehydration process. The dehydration process controlled through temperature sensors that detect relative humidity. A toilet wherein it will operate while being used, flush within two minutes and the dehydration process able to be interrupted repeatedly with other deposits of human waste then resume operation until fully dehydrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: W. Scott Hammond