Miscellaneous Patents (Class 4/661)
  • Patent number: 6648650
    Abstract: A powder for use as a toilet training aid changes from substantially white to a non-white color upon contacting water. The powder-includes at least one powdered water-soluble color additive, and at least one salt for providing a uniform dispersion of color from the color additive when in contact with water. The salt is preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium chloride. The color additive is preferably a water-soluble powder certified by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use in drugsand cosmetics or for use in food, drugs and cosmetics. After repeated use, the child develops a positive mental association between the act of using the toilet and the amusement derived from watching the change of color, thereby making toilet training easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Erica F. Fiorella
  • Patent number: 6647567
    Abstract: A support and storage device (10) for a plumber's plunger (100) wherein the device (10) includes a base unit (11) having a floor panel (21) connected to truncated cylindrical sidewalls (24) by a skirt element (25) to form a base housing member (20) wherein the bottom surface (22) of the floor panel (21) is provided with a plurality of support legs (23) and the top surface (28) of the floor panel (21) is provided with a plurality of drying ribs (40). In addition, the device (10) includes a front cover unit (12) adapted to cover one half of the base unit (11) and including a contoured front cover member (30) having a semi-cylindrical lower portion (31) and a semi-frustro conical upper portion (32) which covers almost the entire plunger (100) with the exception of the plunger handle (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis Baldwin, Debra Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6640355
    Abstract: An article for collecting human feces has at least one projecting arm supporting at least a collection structure of the article within a toilet bowl above the water line therein. The collection structure of the article is disposed to receive and support the human feces for easy collection of a fecal sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: James A. Samide
  • Patent number: 6622319
    Abstract: An insulating cover for a portable toilet as used on construction sites and for outdoor events is described. In one arrangement insulating panels are fastened around the portable toilet to reduce the escape of heat therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventors: Rosalind Doris Mousseau, Darryl Joseph Mousseau
  • Publication number: 20030140412
    Abstract: A replaceable first device for shower or bathtub plumbing is disclosed. A first device is provided which may be comprised of a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, and a fourth tube which are connected together at a junction. The first device can be inserted into a housing so that the first tube becomes aligned with a first water source tube, such as a hot water source tube, the second tube becomes aligned with a first water outlet tube, such as a shower tube, the third tube becomes aligned with a second water source tube, such as a cold water source tube, and the fourth tube becomes aligned with a second water outlet tube, such as a bathtub spout tube. The first device may include first, second, third, and fourth couplers, for joining the first tube and the first water source tube, the second tube and the first water outlet tube, the third tube and the second water source tube, and the fourth tube and the second water outlet tube, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Arthur Gabriele
  • Publication number: 20030135922
    Abstract: A waste disposer assist tool for automatically feeding waste food contained within the housing of a standard kitchen electric food disposer and for spraying liquid soap. The tool includes a hollow handle and a piston which screw together through a central hole of a flexible plunger. The plunger is held between respective flanges of the handle and the piston with the piston slightly protruding from within the plunger. The tool is positioned over the opening of the sink above the garbage disposer with the piston fitted within and in a substantially air-tight seal with the interior of the housing of the disposer unit. The plunger fits in a substantially air-tight seal against the bottom interior of the sink. The slight vacuum created by the outflow of ground food waste and water by the garbage disposer blades below the piston causes the higher ambient pressure against the upper side of the plunger to force the piston downward against he waste food in an automatic feed fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Brian Mulgrew, Michael M. Anthony
  • Publication number: 20030131408
    Abstract: Disclosed are an infant's chamber pot having a health checking function and an operating method thereof. The infant's chamber pot comprises a power source section; a temperature sensor installed on a bottom surface inside the chamber pot to measure a temperature of stool; a controller electrically connected to the temperature sensor, operated by a voltage supplied from the power source section and having a memory part in which melody signal data and warning signal data are stored, the controller selectively outputting the melody signal data or the warning signal data depending upon the stool temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, by comparing the stool temperature with a normal threshold temperature; and a speaker electrically connected to an output terminal of the controller, the speaker converting the signal data outputted from the controller into an audible signal and then, outputting the audible signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Keun Seob Choi
  • Publication number: 20030121097
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a commode liner made from a first and a second opposing member defining a top with an opening, a bottom, and a pair of opposing sides. The pair of opposing sides includes a separation distance D, which varies from the top to the bottom, and the distance D is larger at the top than at the bottom. The opposing members can be formed from a latently dispersible barrier composite material including an exposed low strength barrier component, an internal water sensitive layer, and a water permeable, inextensible, water dispersible support layer. When exposed to aqueous conditions on the barrier side, the composite prevents it from passing through to the other layers. When exposed to aqueous conditions on the opposite side, the commode liner readily disperses and may be disposed of by flushing in a toilet, for example. Examples of barrier layers include polylactic acid. Examples of water sensitive layers include polyvinyl alcohol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Earle H. Sherrod, John E. Kerins, Richard L. Shick, Ann L. McCormack
  • Publication number: 20030115668
    Abstract: A toilet bowl protector for preventing soiling of a toilet bowl includes a rim having an opening, the rim being adapted to be received around a rim of a toilet bowl, and a shell portion, the shell portion extending from the rim, the shell portion being adapted to be disposed within a bowl of the toilet bowl to prevent soiling of the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Harlan A. Grier
  • Patent number: 6581220
    Abstract: A method for aromatherapy including recirculating shower water on a body of a bather, the shower water including at least one aromatherapy substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: David Yekutiely, Barak Yekutiely
  • Patent number: 6564399
    Abstract: A flushable bowl protecting liner for reducing the need for manual cleaning by providing a barrier between the bowl of the toilet and solid waste. The flushable bowl protecting liner includes a barrier material that is flat and rigid when dry and rendered flexible when in contact with water. In its' dry state the liner may set into a toilet bowl above the water level. As solid waste is deposited onto the material the moisture would allow the material to wrap about the waste material. By reason of the barrier's design pattern of radial incisions the waste would be fully enclosed. The material would provide not only a barrier to prevent the deposit of solid waste on the toilet bowl but a low friction package that would prevent plumbing blockages. The material may also be designed to be biodegradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Graham M. Teal
  • Publication number: 20030079282
    Abstract: A medicine cabinet for mounting on a wall above a sink includes a cabinet frame and a door pivotally attached to the front of the cabinet frame. A mirror is attached to the exterior surface of the door and has an aperture there through. A shelf assembly slidably extends through the side opening of the cabinet frame, and has a first position in which the shelf assembly is received within the first cavity and a second position in which the shelf assembly projects outwardly from a side of the cabinet frame. A spout passage extends through the aperture in the mirror and emits a stream of water. A control valve can be mounted to the cabinet frame to control the flow of water from a supply to the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: James M. Piatt
  • Publication number: 20030066128
    Abstract: A device for covering a water faucet handle, and thereby denying access to the handle by small children and others lacking the mental discernment to appreciate and consider the consequences of their actions. The device comprises a generally L-shaped mounting member that is placed over the faucet handle and attached to a structural wall, and a generally rectangular, box-shaped cover that is hingedly connected to the mounting member. The device is held in its closed and locked position by a pair of spring fingers, defined by two parallel notches in the lateral sidewalls of the cover, wherein the catch member, which is located on the terminal end of each spring finger, is engaged with a catch slot in the spring finger catch that is located on the mounting member. The device is opened by simultaneously applying a lateral force to both spring fingers and rotating the cover downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Paula Ann Guillen
  • Publication number: 20030035302
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus and system for a target game used in conjunction with a toilet or urinal, wherein a target body is positioned within the toilet basin. The target game comprises a target body and coupling members, wherein the target body is divided into sections. The coupling members secure the target body to the toilet basin and include a securing member and an attachment member, wherein the securing member is any device that is capable of attaching to the toilet and wherein the attachment member couples the securing member to the target body. Other embodiments of the apparatus and system include image projection systems to create the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Gary Friedman, Gregory A. Piccionelli
  • Patent number: 6519790
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device assembly mounted to bathroom equipment is mainly made up of a silicon chip, a face board in match with the silicon chip, a water proof seal plate in combination with a piece of bathroom equipment, such as a faucet, a shower head, a sink platform and a flush tank and bath tub that can be in direct contact with water. The silicon chip of a proper size and thickness is designed in conformance to the dimension and shape of a staged receiving hole of the bathroom equipment and is provided with an extended probe needle or a limiting switch which can be actuated by flow water in bathroom equipment whereby the brightness, colors of source light or sound produced by the silicon chip can be varied in response to the variation of water flow and the temperature thereof either for a change or warning purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Chung Cheng Faucet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsi Chia Ko
  • Patent number: 6513173
    Abstract: A facility for use as entertainment and/or education wherein there is provided at least one sensor on or adjacent to a surface of the facility that is in connection with a visual display. The condition of the display changes in response to the activation of the sensor. In one embodiment, the facility is a urinal. An alternate embodiment includes a video or electronic message display mounted in conjunction with the urinal to be viewed that may or may not be activated by a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: John Sykes
  • Publication number: 20030014812
    Abstract: A device for the undercounter installation of a lavatory sink. The device includes a crossbrace piece having a coupling member and a hanger arm having a securement member. The crossbrace piece and the hanger arm interengage to form a cruciform structure, such that the coupling member and the securement member are retractable with respect to one another. A method of using the device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Feilmoser, David Fahy
  • Patent number: 6499155
    Abstract: A disposable, toilet flush handle protection device, and mountable dispensing mechanism for minimizing the spread of germs in public facilities, from one user to another. The device comprises an elongated disposable tubular member of a diametric size to be removably placed on and off a conventional, perpendicularly mounted flush handle member of a toilet. A first end of the device is closed, while the second end includes an outwardly flared portion, where the flared portion is preferably formed by plural longitudinal slots to segment the second end. The dispensing mechanism comprises a semi-rigid tube, such as may be formed of a thin walled plastic, open at the top end for receiving a plurality of nestable devices, and open at the bottom end. The bottom end includes an inwardly directed flange to selectively contact and temporarily retain the flared portions of the devices so as to limit the dispensing of a single device at desired intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Gary Barrios
  • Publication number: 20020178496
    Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl with a toilet seat made of a swivellable seat panel and a swivellable toilet lid as well as a wall-hung urinal which can be closed by a lid. A casing with a device for emitting acoustical speech and/or music information is places fixed or removable by a support to at least one of the movable parts of the toilet or of the wall-hung urinal externally or internally. The casing includes a programmable or preprogrammed speech and/or music module or a chip card containing the speech and/or music information with a microprocessor control. The device is connected with a mechanically or light-optically controlled on-off switch or a motion detector in such a way that, when lifting the toilet lid and/or the seat panel and/or the urinal bowl lid, the putting in and out of action of the speech and/or music module is released by the reproduction of the speech and/or music recording.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Axel Benkhardt
  • Patent number: 6484328
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for improved toilet hygiene. One aspect of the present invention provides an improved toilet seat cover having an affinity for a toilet seat. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for rendering a toilet seat cover in a state wherein the cover possesses an affinity for a toilet seat. Such affinity can be established in a variety of ways, including by way of disparate surface charges (e.g., by triboelectric charging).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffery D. Frazier
  • Publication number: 20020166166
    Abstract: A transfer board includes an upper transfer surface, a lower surface, a first end and a second end. A hook extends from the first end and is removably securable around an interior rim of a toilet seat or bowl. A latch extends from the lower surface of the transfer board proximate the first to assist in securing the transfer board to the toilet seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Sherry Costonde
  • Patent number: 6477718
    Abstract: A toilet device includes one or more toilets, and a displayer device disposed above each of the toilets for displaying photo images or video programs or the like, while the users are using the toilets. The displayer device may include a screen for displaying the photo image or the video program from such as the tape or compact disc displayer. A processor unit may receive and send the radio or video signals to the displayer device. A detector may be used to detect the users and to actuate the displayer device and to flush the toilets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: Hsu Yun Wang, Han Ming Fu
  • Publication number: 20020112280
    Abstract: An aesthetically-enhanced toilet tank cover and toilet seat lid cover assembly (10). The assembly (10) is disclosed in three designs: the first design has the toilet tank cover (12) integrally attached to a tank lid cover (60); in the second design (104) the toilet tank cover (12) is separate from the tank lid cover (60); and the third design (110) is a one-piece enclosure, that includes a toilet tank and tank lid cover combination. The assembly (10) features indicia (100) on the toilet tank cover (12) and/or the toilet seat lid cover (76). Preferably, the indicia (100) on the toilet tank cover (12) compliments the indicia (100) on the toilet seat lid cover (76).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Eyon Neal Christmas
  • Publication number: 20020108173
    Abstract: An insulating cover for a portable toilet as used on construction sites and for outdoor events is described. In one arrangement insulating panels are fastened around the portable toilet to reduce the escape of heat therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Rosalind Doris Mousseau, Darryl Joseph Mousseau
  • Patent number: 6430758
    Abstract: A portable training toilet including a toilet portion having an open upper end and a closed lower end. The open upper end has a seat portion hingedly coupled thereto. The seat portion has a cover portion hingedly disposed thereover. A tank portion is secured to and extends upwardly from the toilet portion. The tank portion has an open upper end and a closed lower end. The open upper end has a cover member hingedly coupled thereto. The tank portion has a horizontal slot therethrough in a front wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Byron Cabrera
  • Publication number: 20020095721
    Abstract: One or more microprocessor-operated flow control devices are connected to one or more waterlines to shut off flow of water if a leak detector measures any water leakage. The one or more flow control devices are operated to shut off water flow upon the water leak detector sensing leakage and sending an electrical or an RF signal to microprocessors in housings. An electric motor is actuated in each housing to drive a gear train to close a normally-open valve and shut off water flow through the one or more waterlines. The present invention is an easily-added-on, simplified device for use with any waterline to prevent damage and the wasting of water through leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Richard Quintana
  • Publication number: 20020092092
    Abstract: A faucet lock for use with a lavatory sink faucet having at least one water valve control handle, the faucet lock comprising a base, a bracket, having first and second ends thereof, wherein the first end is adjustably attached to the base such that the second end is positionable adjacent to the control handle preventing the control handle from opening the water valve, thus locking the water valve in a closed position, wherein the faucet lock prevents small children, disabled persons and others from unauthorized use of the water valve. The present invention faucet lock is a safety device to protect children and others especially special needs persons with spasticity or other disabilities from accidentally being exposed to hot water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Jonathan Fine
    Inventors: Jonathan Fine, Mark Lindholm
  • Patent number: 6408450
    Abstract: A decorative vase and toilet cover. The decorative vase and toilet cover is made up of a toilet cover with a raised aperture and a perforated basket being attached underneath the raised aperture. The perforated basket and raised aperture form a decorative vase, which can be easily broken down for removal and cleaning. The perforated basket is made of flexible thermoplastic material that is attached to the ceramic toilet cover by a pair of invertedly positioned ceramic buttons and slots. The holes on the perforated basket are approximately 20 mms. in diameter and are macroscopically designed to hold a set of flowers while allowing water to enter through the exterior of the perforated basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: John J. Giaimis
  • Patent number: 6408459
    Abstract: A toilet bowl equipped with far infrared lamps, by which users can bathe the genital organs and the anus region while sitting down on a toilet bowl seat for movement of bowel or urination at need without taking additional time. The toilet bowl comprises: front and rear holes formed on a toilet bowl body; first and second far infrared lamps respectively inserted into the front and rear holes for emitting far infrared rays, wherein the front and rear holes are formed in appropriate positions for making the far infrared lamps emit the far infrared rays to the genital organs and the anus region of women and men; first and second transparent heatproof lenses, each of which is disposed between the hole and the far infrared lamp; a first sensing means to be mounted on a ceiling, the first sensing means making the far infrared lamps turn on or off when a user sits on the toilet bowl seat; and ON and OFF switches for operating the far infrared lamps manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Kum-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 6385796
    Abstract: This interactive urinal is for improving sales and provides revenue from the restroom, especially in an establishment that sells beverages. The urinal is coin vended to provide amusement and also to provide income from obligatory restroom requirements. The Urinator allows an owner to permit the dispensing of rewards to promote equipment or products for sale elsewhere. It is envisioned that the Urinator may provide tickets for free products upon the attainment of certain amounts of a customer urine output coordinated with appropriate accuracy. Coin operation and anti-cheating devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: David N. Muir, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6385785
    Abstract: A rectangular flexible shield that is placed into the toilet bowl shielding the back and sides of the bowl to prevent or reduce urine spills. The urine shield is removably attached to the raised toilet bowl seat by a generally u-shaped hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Carol S. Linden
  • Publication number: 20020029415
    Abstract: A plumbing kit of parts, with some tools, is provided, so a person may himself or herself directly, or hire a plumber to assist or to do the job, of providing outside of a dwelling, generally a residence, an outside hot water source interconnected to a nearby existing outside cold water source, thereby creating an outside controllable temperature and controllable flow of outside available water, used for examples during bathing of pets, and cleaning vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Jeremiah W. Meacham
  • Patent number: 6355160
    Abstract: A gray-water recycling system for reclaiming gray-water for use in toilets and lawn care. The system includes a reservoir adapted to treat gray-water and includes an intake pipe, an outlet pipe and an overflow pipe. An inlet coupled to the intake pipe supplies gray-water to the reservoir. A filter is fluidly coupled to the outlet pipe for filtering gray-water to define processed gray-water. A pump is fluidly coupled to the by a pipe. A first valve (24) controls flow of the processed gray-water from the pump. The first valve is fluidly coupled to the pump, a fresh water inlet and a processed gray-water outlet. The first valve is adapted to open the fresh water if the water pressure from the processed gray-water falls. Also included is a pressure valve (52) adapted to manually adjust the pressure of the processed gray-water outlet and to allow a flow of fresh water in the event the solenoid of the first valve fails to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventors: Cecil A. Wiseman, Christopher Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20020026665
    Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl with a toilet seat made of a swivellable seat panel and a swivellable toilet lid as well as a wall-hung urinal which can be closed by a lid. A casing with a device for emitting acoustical speech and/or music information is placed fixed or removable by a support to at least one of the moveable parts of the toilet or of the wall-hung urinal externally or internally. The casing includes a programmable or preprogrammed speech and/or music module or a chip card containing the speech and/or music information with a microprocessor control. The device is connected with a mechanically or light-optically controlled on-off switch or a motion detector in such a way that, when lifting the toilet lid and/or the seat panel and/or the urinal bowl lid, the putting in and out of action of the speech and/or music module is released by the reproduction of the speech and/or music recording.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Axel Benkhardt
  • Patent number: 6349429
    Abstract: An apertured mounting unit comprises a deck sheet with a top and a bottom surface, the deck sheet has a cross-sectional edge defining an aperture. A non-porous seal member abuts the edge, the seal member has top and bottom surfaces. A sink with an upper circumferential flange may be removably mounted on the bottom surface of the deck sheet, with the flange in sealing engagement with the seal member. The flange cooperates with the seal member and with the bottom surface of the deck sheet so that the flange is brought into sealable engagement with the seal member when the flange is biased against a stop that is fixed with respect to the bottom surface of the deck sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Counter-Mate, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Zurba, Bryan Gordon Drozdowich
  • Publication number: 20020020016
    Abstract: A urine capture and containment system comprises a receptacle and an absorbent material located within receptacle. The receptacle and absorbent material are positioned together as a unit proximate a urinal such that at least a portion of dripped urine is contained within an inside volume of the receptacle and absorbed by the absorbent material. The receptacle is configured, for example, to be secured to a floor surface, for example, proximate the urinal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Mark D. Lyons
  • Patent number: 6328882
    Abstract: A system for recycling waste water from showers, bath tubs and lavatories to provide flush water for toilets and urinals. The system includes a receiving tank A, an overflow conduit 4, a make-up water conduit 16, a pump B, and a hydro-pneumatic tank C. The system ensures that a sufficient supply of flush water is available at a required pressure to meet the toilet flushing demand. Preferably, the distribution piping for the recycled waste water is of a different size or color in order to in order to avoid accidentally connecting the non-potable flush water supply to a potable use. Mechanisms are also provided so that the flush water can be scented, colored, filtered, or disinfected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Joel Hl. Rosenblatt
  • Patent number: 6323778
    Abstract: An alarm system for signaling when the toilet seat of a toilet is left in an upright position in relation to a rim of the toilet bowl. The alarm system for a toilet seat includes a housing for mounting the alarm system to the toilet bowl. A sensor is provided for detecting when the toilet seat in the upright position in relation to the rim of the toilet. The sensor is mounted in the housing. Control circuitry is provided for controlling the alarm system. The control circuitry is mounted in the housing. A power supply is provided for providing power to the control circuitry. The power supply is removably mounted in the housing. A sound emitter is provided for audibly signaling that the toilet seat has been left in the upright position. The sound emitter is mounted in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventors: Roger W. Simpson, Ruth Simpson
  • Patent number: 6311341
    Abstract: In one of its' aspects, the invention provides a chair for covering a bathroom toilet with a tank, a hinged seat, a bowl, and a flushing handle. The chair has a tank cover for covering the tank of the toilet, and a bowl cover connected to the tank cover for covering the hinged seat and the bowl of the toilet. The bowl cover has a hinged seat cover and a front portion. The front portion has a protrusion for receiving the front part of the bowl of the toilet to allow the front part of the bowl to extend outwardly beyond a remainder of the front portion. The chair also has a pair of arm rests coupled with the tank cover, each arm rest having a front portion and a back portion. The arm rests are undercut to create a space between the bowl cover and the front portion of the arm rests to admit a user's thighs. The claim further has first and second pedal assemblies operably connected to the hinged seat cover and the hinged seat cover and hinged seat from the closed to the opened positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Shane Zwezdaryk
  • Patent number: 6305032
    Abstract: A toilet seat lifting device is provided for the manually lifting and lowering of a toilet seat without requiring the user to actually touch the toilet seat or actually touching any part attached to the toilet seat. This toilet seat lifting device is also provided for raising and lowering said toilet seat for persons with physical disabilities who have difficulty in bending to raise or lower a toilet seat. It is also provided as a sanitary way of raising and lowering a toilet seat for those without sight. It is a two piece device, one piece being a lifting knob that is permanently attached to one side of the underside of a toilet seat. The other part of the device is in the form of a wand having a manually graspable portion at one end and a hook at the opposite end that is used to cradle the neck part of the lifting knob, granting the user complete control of the toilet seat when lifting or lowering said toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Emory G. Jones
  • Patent number: 6301726
    Abstract: Preventing damage to the porcelain surface of a bathtub that is being installed by using an original equipment manufacture (OEM) peripheral flange to mount support rods for a protective cover draped over the bathtub which remains in place except for the short duration when a bottom now of tiles is set in place, the workpersons exercising the necessary care during this short duration to avoid chipping of the porcelain surface with inadvertently dropped tools or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Pena
  • Patent number: 6279180
    Abstract: The combination of plural photoluminescent panels and a commode and a method of illuminating the commode are described. The commode has a bowl including a top surface and an arcuate inner wall portion contiguous with the top surface. The commode may also include a seat pivotally connected to the bowl for selective disposition on the top surface of the bowl, and a cover pivotally connected to the bowl for selective disposition on the seat. Each photoluminescent panel is a generally planar, flexible member of generally rectangular shape having rounded corners. Each panel has an exterior surface and an interior surface, with its exterior surface being arranged to be activated by exposure to ambient light to produce photoluminescent illumination when the ambient light decreases to a threshold level. The interior surface of each panel includes an adhesive, e.g., a pressure sensitive adhesive, thereon covered by a peel-off liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Jonathan Marc Bell, Jonathan Todd Pollack
  • Publication number: 20010013144
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a flush valve mounted holder having a closed bottom and an open top, the closed bottom configured to replace the cover of a flush valve having a flush valve cover in a commercial sanitary fixture such as a urinal or toilet, the holder comprising a base positioned to form the closed bottom of the holder, the base having threads positioned thereon for connecting to the flush valve, to thereby mount the holder on the flush valve in place of the flush valve cover, and a body connected to the base and positioned to form the open top of the flush valve mounted holder, the body having a shape suitable for holding at least one item for a person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: Augusto Lopez-Torres
  • Patent number: 6273575
    Abstract: A self-inspection apparatus includes a frame that supports a mirror. The frame includes first and second side members connected to first and second cross-members. The inner edges of the first and second side members and the first and second cross-members define an opening that permits access to a user's genital region. The first side member includes a first protrusion and the second side member includes a second protrusion that along with the inner edge of the first cross-member define a slot for holding the mirror. Furthermore, the first side member extends beyond the second cross-member to form a first mounting member and the second side member extends beyond the second cross-member to form a second mounting member. The inner edge of the first mounting member, the inner edge of the second mounting member, and the outer edge of the second cross-member define a curved surface that approximates the shape of a toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Robert R. Downs, Olena E. Downs
  • Patent number: 6263524
    Abstract: The invention is a novelty shower head having a cavity in the wall of the shower head containing objects which move according to the swirl of water through the shower head providing an entertaining display of moving objects while in the shower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Tarek A. Abdul
  • Patent number: 6250929
    Abstract: A method for improving the effectiveness of a child's toilet training regime utilizes a progress scale to evaluate the child's current level or stage of toilet training. Recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the child's training regime are divided into a plurality of unique groups corresponding to a plurality of stages of toilet training. The child's toilet training progress value, determined using the progress scale, is matched to a particular stage of training and the unique group of recommendations corresponding to the child's stage of training are selected. Methods for comparing the effectiveness of various toilet training regimes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Mathias Kolb, Timothy Russell Schum, James Andrew Walter
  • Patent number: 6243891
    Abstract: A valve includes a housing with an input for unheated water and an output for delivering unheated water to a toilet tank and a supplemental input for cooled and hot water in. The valve has a thermally responsive component to open and close the supplemental input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventors: Jack A. Nickerson, Jack A. Nickerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6237168
    Abstract: A sink drain assembly includes a waste plug, a drain cap and a sink seal cap. The sink seal cap is formed and adapted to be attached to a sink drain conduit and to be mounted thereon in a sink drain opening. The waste plug and drain cap are detachably secured together so that the drain cap may be removably mounted on the waste plug and when so combined the waste plug and drain cap function to control the flow of water through the sink seal cap to the sink drain conduit. The waste plug, when removed from the drain cap, functions as a tool to remove the sink seal cap, thus the waste plug performing dual functions in the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: John H. Daniel, III, Allen L. Talley
  • Patent number: 6237654
    Abstract: A drainage device is provided for rupturing and draining the fluid contents of a flexible container, such as a dialysis drain bag. A pierce element is mountable in a use position in a waste disposal receptacle so as to engage a wall of a flexible container impaled on the pierce element to rupture the container and allow the fluid contents of the container to flow into the waste receptacle. The pierce element is mounted in a holder which is adapted to be stably mounted in the waste receptacle. In one aspect, an apertured receptacle has a base wall to which the pierce element is fixedly mounted to orient the pierce element in an upstanding position below an open end and within the sidewall of the receptacle. An optional inner wall may be carried within the receptacle and disposed concavely below the open end of the receptacle for supporting a flexible wall of a container in a position for rupturing by the pierce element which projects through the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Martin Sheyer
  • Patent number: 6231203
    Abstract: A night-light adapted to illuminate a toilet bowl and located in the toilet's flush-handle. The light shuts off automatically and remains unobtrusive and clean during use. A semiconductor circuit built into the flush-handle extinguishes the light after a certain length of time. Powered by a lithium battery, the light will yield many hundreds of illuminations before battery replacement or whole-unit replacement become necessary. The device is substantially the same size and shape as conventional flush handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Cohnitz Olshausen