Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7331069 | Water-saving flush toilet 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 ... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7284286 | Toilet discharge valve Disclosed are valve assemblies for controlling flow from a toilet bowl to a trap way. In one form there is a cartridge unit in which a pivotable gate is mounted. The gate can swing from a blocking/closing position to a position in which it is essentially hidden away... | 10/23/2007 |
| 6332229 | Automated flap and cup cleaner water-saving toilet A gravity drop-toilet uses main water via electronically programmed valves to rinse separate areas of a bowl (71) in sequence via appropriately located and pointing jet orifices (136, 138,140) with about 70% less water than siphon toilets. Electronically ... | 12/25/2001 |
| 6212700 | Portable toilet unit A lightweight toilet unit is provided particularly for use with vehicles such as boats, RVs, and trailers. The toilet unit includes a plastic toilet bowl having an interior surface, open top, and exterior surface, a plastic body positioned exteriorly of t... | 04/10/2001 |
| 5875499 | Recreational vehicle toilet with flush nozzle deflector shield The toilet with a deflector shield covering the flush nozzle to deflect a portion of the flush water. The deflected water flows downward to wet the bowl in the area beneath the flush water nozzle. The undeflected water flows onto a ledge at the upper end ... | 03/02/1999 |
| 5317763 | Apparatus for low noise flushing a vacuum toilet, especially in an aircraft The noise developed in a suction toilet system, for example in an aircraft, by the activation of a suction valve is substantially reduced by generating the required suction with the aid of two valves, one of which is a by-pass flow valve that can be arran... | 06/07/1994 |
| 5165457 | Vacuum sewer arrangement A vacuum sewer arrangement comprises a valve controlled air inlet duct to let air into the vacuum sewer at a position downstream of the sewer valve. The sewer valve can then be closed immediately after the sewage has passed into the vacuum sewer, because ... | 11/24/1992 |
| 5060320 | Recreational vehicle toilet with foot pedal flush A toilet having a foot pedal flush control comprising two pedals, one for opening a toilet bowl discharge outlet and the other for supplying flush water to the bowl. The pedals both operate through actuation cables having a wire member slidable within a c... | 10/29/1991 |
| 4947492 | Swivel nozzle flush toilet system A lavatory system suitable for use on a commercial passenger aircraft includes a toilet bowl for receiving waste and a waste-holding tank in fluid communication with the toilet bowl for receiving waste from the toilet bowl. A flapper valve is provided in ... | 08/14/1990 |
| 4710988 | Flush toilet A flush toilet primarily for use in recreational homes and vehicles is described. A swing drop valve mechanism is used to open and close the outlet of the toilet bowl efficiently and without abrading the seal between the valve and bowl outlet. A flush wat... | 12/08/1987 |
| 4366584 | Bathroom appliances In order to save space, a bathroom appliance such as a lavatory pan, urinal, basin or bidet is mounted to turn about a pivot axis between an operative position in which the appliance is accessible for its normal usage and an inoperative position in which ... | 01/04/1983 |
| 4246666 | Flush toilet A flush toilet which includes a concave bowl with a bottom drain port and a closure such as a pan or plate to close the drain port. When a pan is used, it can hold a quantity of water to form a gas seal. When a plate is used, a mechanical seal is employed... | 01/27/1981 |
| 4192027 | Toilet A portable toilet is provided with a bowl having an outlet port in its bottom, this being closed by a yoke shaped, pivotal valve member movable between a first position in which it closes the outlet port and a second position in which it uncovers the port... | 03/11/1980 |
| 4185340 | Toilet apparatus Toilet apparatus that has a plurality of improved features including: a sealing mechanism for closing the bottom opening of a toilet bowl so that the effectiveness of the seal is maintained over extended periods of time, a flushing circuit that has a wate... | 01/29/1980 |
| 4016609 | Flush operated sanitary facility There are means in the sanitary facility defining a receiving bowl for liquid and/or solid excrement, and the bowl has a discharge valve in the bottom portion thereof. Also, there are means for controlling flow through the valve, including a pivotally mou... | 04/12/1977 |
