US3843976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and an apparatus for saving water used in toilets
Assignee: Nepon Kk Co Ltd
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Filing: 1973-09-24
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-09-24
Abstract
Abstract The water used for flushing toilets is the effluent from kitchen sinks, bath tubs, showers and wash basins. A basin which receives excreta is so mounted that it pivots automatically when sufficient waste water has collected sending the collected excreta on toward the sewer. A toilet which envelopes solid excreta in foam is described. The foam prevents escape of odor prior to dumping.
Inventors
- 👤 M Miya
- 👤 S Nemoto
- 👤 M Otsuka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:27
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A device for utilizing waste water from kitchen sinks, wash basins, showers and the like for the purpose of flushing toilets, comprising a housing having top inlet means connectable to toilet means, a container open at its top in said housing, a waste-water line entering said housing at a region such that said waste water pours into said container, said housing having an outlet proximate the bottom thereof, and a trap connected to said outlet and connectable to a sewer line, said container having pivot means and said housing having pivot support means operatively connected with said pivot means to permit said container to cycle between a fill position and a dump position, said container having a sloping face oriented toward said outlet proximate the bottom of said housing, said container being so shaped that when the level of waste water therein is below a predetermined height, said container remains in rest position and when said level rises beyond said predetermined height, the center of gravity of said container and water content therein moves to a position between said pivot means and said outlet, thereby initiating a dump cycle which consists of firstly causing said container to rotate toward said outlet and dump rapidly the waste water contained therein for outflow through said outlet and reposition said center of gravity on the side of said pivot means farther from said outlet, and of secondly causing said container to return to said fill position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
243 words
A device for utilizing waste water from kitchen sinks, wash basins, showers and the like for the purpose of flushing toilets, comprising a housing having top inlet means connectable to toilet means, a container open at its top in said housing, a waste-water line entering said housing at a region such that said waste water pours into said container, said housing having an outlet proximate the bottom thereof, and a trap connected to said outlet and connectable to a sewer line, said container having pivot means and said housing having pivot support means operatively connected with said pivot means to permit said container to cycle between a fill position and a dump position, said container having a sloping face oriented toward said outlet proximate the bottom of said housing, said container being so shaped that when the level of waste water therein is below a predetermined height, said container remains in rest position and when said level rises beyond said predetermined height, the center of gravity of said container and water content therein moves to a position between said pivot means and said outlet, thereby initiating a dump cycle which consists of firstly causing said container to rotate toward said outlet and dump rapidly the waste water contained therein for outflow through said outlet and reposition said center of gravity on the side of said pivot means farther from said outlet, and of secondly causing said container to return to said fill position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device for utilizing waste water as defined in claim 1 wherein said device further comprises weights affixed to said container for predetermining the height of liquid in said container which will cause said container to dump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device for utilizing waste water as defined in claim 1 wherein said device further comprises a toilet free of flush means connected to said top inlet means in said housing whereby excreta deposited in said toilet descend by gravity into said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device for utilizing waste water as defined in claim 3 wherein said top inlet means is so positioned that said excreta drop into said trap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device for utilizing waste water as defined in claim 3 wherein said top inlet means is so positioned that said excreta drop into said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said device further comprises a bent conduit connecting the bottom of said toilet with said top inlet means in said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 6 wherein at least one of said toilet and said bent conduit is lined with a porous mat suitable for impregnation with a surface-active agent for producing foam and enveloping solid excreta deposited in said toilet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said device further comprises a vessel adapted to deliver a surface-active agent to said mat at a predetermined rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A device for utilizing waste water as defined in claim 1 wherein the bottom of said housing iS stepped to form a sump therein adjacent said outlet, whereby said container dumps its contents into said sump rather than against a wall of said housing proximate said outlet, said sump being large enough to hold temporarily that portion of waste water which cannot flow immediately through said outlet and drain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said pivot means comprises limiting means for undesired rotation of said container past said dump position and past said fill position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said limiting means are rods projecting in an axial direction from said pivot means and gently curved plates above said rods, said plates being cut out to permit removal of said pivot means and rods therethrough and removal of said container from said pivot support means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of toilets connected to said top inlet means in said housing for delivering excreta thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of housings and a plurality of toilets connected to said top inlet means in at least one of said housings for delivery of excreta thereto
Claim 15
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of utilizing waste water for flushing away human excreta deposited in toilets wherein a toilet is connected by means of its bottom outlet to a housing having a tippable container therein, said housing and container being disposed to receive waste water directly into said container, said waste water being the effluent from kitchen sinks, showers, tubs and the like, said container being mounted for cyclic reciprocation through a limited arc and being so shaped and balanced that when waste water therein reaches and exceeds a predetermined height, said container tips, dumps its contents rapidly and returns to a rest position, comprising the steps of supplying waste water to a tippable container in a housing connected at its lower portion to a drain until said height of waste water in said container reaches and exceeds a predetermined value, thereby causing said container to tip and dusp its contents toward said drain.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of utilizing waste water for flushing away human excreta deposited in toilets wherein a toilet is connected by means of its bottom outlet to a housing having a tippable container therein, said housing and container being disposed to receive waste water directly into said container, said waste water being the effluent from kitchen sinks, showers, tubs and the like, said container being mounted for cyclic reciprocation through a limited arc and being so shaped and balanced that when waste water therein reaches and exceeds a predetermined height, said container tips, dumps its contents rapidly and returns to a rest position, comprising the steps of supplying waste water to a tippable container in a housing connected at its lower portion to a drain until said height of waste water in said container reaches and exceeds a predetermined value, thereby causing said container to tip and dusp its contents toward said drain.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of utilizing waste water as defined in claim 14 further comprising the step of introducing excreta into said housing in a position such that said excreta will be carried through said drain by said dumped contents.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of utilizing waste water as defined in claim 15 wherein said excreta are introduced into said drain.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of utilizing waste water as defined in claim 15 wherein said excreta are introduced into said container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method of utilizing waste water as defined in claim 15 wherein said toilet has a bent conduit connecting said toilet with said housing and at least one of said toilet and said conduit is lined with an impregnatable mat and further comprising the step of feeding a surface-active agent to said mat for the purpose of producing foam to envelop said solid excreta prior to entry of said solid excreta into said housing.
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |