Patents Examined by Benjamin R Shaw
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Patent number: 11332915Abstract: Systems, methods, and techniques for cleaning sinks and dishes are provided. In some embodiments, a cleaning system comprises at least one fluid supply, at least one opening in a side wall of a sink basin, and at least one nozzle positioned along an exterior of the sink basin. The nozzle is configured to receive fluid from the fluid supply, and dispense fluid through an opening in a side wall of the sink basin to an interior surface of the sink basin. In some embodiments, the nozzle is configured to dispense fluid to the interior of a sink basin, such that substantially all surfaces of the interior of the sink basin are covered with a thin layer of fluid. In some embodiments, nozzle dispensing angle, duration of a cleaning cycle, flow rate or amount of dispensing fluid, or activation of a cleaning cycle may be manually or automatically controlled.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Ki Bok Song, Alison Lyons, Jiekun Qian, Jean-Jacques L'Henaff, Emilie Williams
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Patent number: 11319696Abstract: To reduce the bulk of an aircraft toilet which includes a toilet bowl and a washbasin, the washbasin is movably mounted in the toilet to be able to adopt at least two distinct positions relative to the toilet bowl, including a retracted position adopted to bring the toilet into a configuration of use of the bowl, and a deployed position adopted to bring the toilet into a washbasin configuration, a position in which the washbasin is arranged above the bowl.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SASInventors: Bernard Guering, Romain Delahaye
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Patent number: 11306469Abstract: A toilet having a one piece structure, a flush valve, and a seal. The structure includes a base having a fluid channel in fluid communication with a bowl; a tank having an internal compartment; a wall disposed between the tank and the base, the wall having an opening fluidly connecting the internal compartment and the fluid channel; and a retaining structure in the internal compartment. The flush valve has a valve body including an inner wall, which is disposed in the opening and extends from a first end in fluid communication with the internal compartment to a second end in fluid communication with the fluid channel, and a locking flange extending radially outward from the inner wall, the locking flange being retained between the retaining structure and the wall in a locking position. The seal is disposed between the locking flange and one of the wall or the retaining structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Daniel N. Halloran, Tony L. Lambert
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Patent number: 11299877Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a toilet, a non-vitreous fluid delivery component, and a connector assembly. The non-vitreous fluid delivery component is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the toilet. The connector assembly couples the non-vitreous fluid delivery component to the toilet in a substantially watertight manner. The connector assembly includes a connector body, a nut adjustably coupled to the connector body, and a sealing member disposed on the connector body. The nut is configured to be adjusted relative to the connector body to cause the connector body to compress the sealing member against a portion of the toilet, such that the sealing member creates a substantially watertight seal between the toilet and the connector body.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Randy O. Mesun, Jeremiah J. Rauwerdink, Daniel N. Halloran, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer L. Tarplee
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Patent number: 11295629Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a faucet that includes one or more integrated detection mechanisms to decrease or eliminate the incidence of healthcare associated infections. Specifically, the disclosed faucet a includes timing sensor that is activated by the user to ensure that the user washes their hands for the appropriate amount of time. The faucet further includes a thermal sensor positioned within the interior of the faucet neck that detects the temperature of the water flowing through the faucet. Optionally, the faucet can include an additional internal sensor that the detects the presence of one or more harmful proteins. In this way, the faucet promotes efficient hand washing techniques, as well as provides information on the condition of the water to track harmful bacteria (e.g., legionella) growth.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Inventor: Risa Peets
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Patent number: 11293172Abstract: A toilet ventilation system may include a tank configured to fill with water to a threshold level. The system may also include a ventilation manifold having a manifold body, a first cavity defined in the manifold body that opens to an exterior of the manifold body through a first opening, a second cavity defined in the manifold body, where the second cavity is fluidly connected to the first cavity, where the second cavity opens to an exterior of the manifold body through a second opening, and where the second opening is blocked by the water when the tank is filled to the threshold level, and a third cavity defined in the manifold body, where the third cavity is fluidly connected to the second cavity, and where the third cavity opens to an exterior of the manifold body through a third opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: ECOAIR LLCInventors: Jason John Jones, R. Jay Taylor
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Patent number: 11286655Abstract: A universal canister flush valve having a valve body configured to be fixed relative to a toilet tank and having a hollow wall defining an internal flow passage; a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; a float fitted about and configured to slide relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float having an open top; and an extender that selectively couples to the open top in a first position, in which a first end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Bradley Strasser, Matthew Krebs, Douglas E. Bogard, Daniel N. Halloran, Scott R. Krebs, Edward F. Malis, Jr., Randy O. Mesun, Eric Derner, Stewart Anthony Schaal
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Patent number: 11285505Abstract: A waterfall sink has a series of contours as elevationally spaced apart upper steps separated by vertically extending walls extending from an upper surface of to a bottom surface to form a partial sink bowl. The bottom surface directs fluid from the partial sink bowl off a side edge to then downwardly proceed to a drain below the bottom surface. Many embodiments have a channel extending into a side surface along the side which receives the fluid from the partial bowl. Some embodiments have side steps which coordinate with the upper steps to form a continuous partial perimeter. Water from a faucet directed into the partial bowl proceeds above the bottom surface and over the side edge downwardly like a waterfall.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: MTI Baths, Inc.Inventor: Russell Adams
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Patent number: 11279568Abstract: A distribution system for storing and conveying a supply of material is described. The distribution system includes a bin for storing and conveying a supply of material. The bin includes a housing defining an internal chamber configured to receive the material, at least one outlet configured to direct the material from the bin, a plate defining a lower end of the internal chamber and supporting and directing the material to the at least one outlet, an agitation device attached to the plate, and a gasket disposed between the plate and the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Enes Ramosevac, Charles P. Ganzer
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Patent number: 11253427Abstract: A spa has an insulated cabinet with an uninsulated shell disposed therein. A filter assembly is downstream of a water intake. A heater is downstream of the filter assembly and a pump is downstream of the heater. A diversion line is in fluid line connection with an outlet of the pump. An ozonizor is in fluid communication with the diversion line. The filter assembly is coupled to the diversion line. A data processing system is coupled to the heater, pump, a control panel and a temperature sensor, wherein the data processing system responsive to when the actual temperature of an amount of water in the shell is a magnitude in degrees below a set temperature 1) turns the heater off if it is on or does not turn the heater on if it is already off and 2) turns the pump on if it is off or if it is already running does not turn the pump off.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Barefoot Spas LLCInventor: Richard T. French
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Patent number: 11253118Abstract: An extractor device to extract unwanted odors from a conventional toilet may include a seat mounting device configured to mount on a toilet seat of the conventional toilet; an input noise reduction muffler assembly connected to the seat mounting device to eliminate noise transmitted from the seat mounting device; a vacuum device in fluid connection with the seat mounting device; the vacuum device including a ring compression blower to generate a vacuum; an output noise reduction assembly to reduce noise from the vacuum device.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Inventor: Richard Claudio
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Patent number: 11236496Abstract: A method for manufacturing an approximately parallelepiped-shaped sink comprising a series of flat rectangular slabs made of ceramic/clay material, firmly connected to one another at their relative sides. the sides of the slabs are provided with connection bevels tilted in respect to the lying planes of the respective slabs with angles sized so that the support of the flat face of a connection bevel present on a side of a slab against the flat face of the connection bevel present on a connection side of another slab, determines a mutual perpendicular positioning between the two slabs; and firmly fixing the flat faces of the connection bevel by means of an adhesive composition.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Inventor: Stefano Salviato
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Patent number: 11229327Abstract: A pet bath may include a tub, a cover connected to an upper rim of the tub, a jet provided in the tub to discharge bubbles, an air outlet provided in the tub to discharge air, and a sterilizer to sterilize the tub. The tub may have a bottom plate that is raised and lowered relative to a bottom frame having a drain and a filter assembly so that liquid in the tub flows between edges of the bottom plate and an inner surface of the tub toward the bottom frame to be drained and filtered.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Hyunsun Yoo, Myongsun Kim, Sungkyung Kim, Joogyeom Kim, Yousook Eun, Jaehung Chun
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Patent number: 11224271Abstract: A collapsible backpack cooler includes a base, a collapsible portion, a back portion, and one or more straps configured for use by a user in securing the collapsible backpack cooler to their back. The collapsible backpack cooler is configured to allow the collapsible backpack cooler to transition between an expanded configuration, and a collapsed configuration having a reduced volume as compared to the expanded configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: M & C INNOVATIONS, LLCInventor: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg
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Patent number: 11213172Abstract: This disclosure provides a drain fitting having a discharge portion comprising a chamber formed by walls extending between and around an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being wider than the outlet or having a greater cross-sectional area than the outlet and the walls having interior surfaces sloping inwardly between the inlet and outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: NuWhirl Systems CorporationInventor: Dale Van Spengen
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Patent number: 11207701Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods related to a fragrance bottle assembly are disclosed. The fragrance bottle assembly can include a bottle configured to retain an atomizable liquid, the bottle having an upper portion and an interior area, a nozzle head coupled to the upper portion and in communication with the interior area, and a tube coupled to the nozzle head and extending into an interior area for engagement with the liquid. The assembly can also include a cap assembly disposed over the upper portion of the bottle, the cap having an upper surface having an opening through which extends such that the nozzle head protrudes above the upper surface. The cap assembly can further include a nozzle cover connected to and slidably moveable along the second upper surface between a first position spaced away from the nozzle head and a second position covering the nozzle head.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Sillage LLCInventor: Nicole Mather
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Patent number: 11202535Abstract: A dispensing system comprises a first electronic sensor and a controller. The first electronic sensor may be configured to detect a first change from a first amount of a fluid product in a dispensing system reservoir to a second amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir. The controller may be coupled to the first electronic sensor and configured to receive a first signal from the first electronic sensor indicative of the first change. The dispensing system reservoir may be disposed in the dispensing system. A method for determining a remaining service interval for a dispensing system reservoir is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson William Wegelin, Nick Ermanno Ciavarella, Scott Theodore Proper, Richard E. Corney
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Patent number: 11203495Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for sequencing portable containers of bulk material to provide continuous bulk material usage at an outlet are provided. The disclosed sequencing techniques may involve identifying a sequence for opening different portable containers of bulk material (or identifying the “next” portable container to open) and automatically actuating the discharge gates of the portable containers in the desired sequence to provide a continuous flow of bulk material to the outlet (e.g., blender unit). The identified sequence may be executed through a control system communicatively coupled to actuators used to open/close the discharge gates of the portable bulk material containers. A GUI may be communicatively coupled to the control system to allow an operator to select the desired sequence for execution by the control system and to display information regarding the portable bulk material containers.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Donald Anthony Belcher, Wesley John Warren, Bryan Chapman Lucas, Bryan John Lewis, Timothy Hunter
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Patent number: 11197585Abstract: An apparatus includes a base; a reservoir connected to the base and configured to hold a fluid; a first vessel having a first volume and configured to be removably connected to the base; a connection configured to deliver the fluid from the reservoir to at least the first vessel; and a second vessel. The second vessel is configured to be disposed at least partially within the first vessel; configured to be removably secured to the first vessel; includes an aperture that allows for fluid communication between the second vessel and the first vessel; and has a second volume that is less than the first volume.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Inventors: Marta Podemska-Mikluch, Lukasz Andrzej Mikluch
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Patent number: 11186452Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for sequencing portable containers of bulk material to provide continuous bulk material usage at an outlet are provided. The disclosed sequencing techniques may involve identifying a sequence for opening different portable containers of bulk material (or identifying the “next” portable container to open) and automatically actuating the discharge gates of the portable containers in the desired sequence to provide a continuous flow of bulk material to the outlet (e.g., blender unit). The identified sequence may be executed through a control system communicatively coupled to actuators used to open/close the discharge gates of the portable bulk material containers. A GUI may be communicatively coupled to the control system to allow an operator to select the desired sequence for execution by the control system and to display information regarding the portable bulk material containers.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Donald Anthony Belcher, Wesley John Warren, Bryan Chapman Lucas, Bryan John Lewis, Timothy Hunter