Patents Examined by Erin Deery
  • Patent number: 11786079
    Abstract: A polygonal one-piece foldable water basin, comprising a water basin body, wherein the water basin body is connected with at least one water outlet, a supporting frame is provided at an inner side of the water outlet close to an edge thereof, a tarpaulin is provided in an outer side of the water basin body; the tarpaulin comprises a mesh and a base cloth; the base cloth is made of high strength terylene and/or chinlon, coated with PVC paste at both sides thereof and dried; the mesh is a high strength square mesh, and the mesh is connected and welded to the base cloth by high temperature processes to form the tarpaulin; by providing the tarpaulin at an outer portion of the water basin the water basin is reinforced, the tarpaulin is provided with the high strength square mesh, the mesh is inelastic and enclosed in the tarpaulin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Yongchang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11781302
    Abstract: A sink system includes a basin and an apron. The basin includes a floor, a front wall, and a basin rim. The front wall is contiguous with the floor. The basin rim has a rim front side that is contiguous with the front wall. The rim front side includes an aperture. The apron includes an apron coupling wall. The apron coupling wall is configured to be coupled to the rim front side. The apron coupling wall includes an apron slot that is configured to be aligned with the aperture when the apron is coupled to the basin rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Evan M. Grybush, Steven F. Elllingsen, Niels J. Eilmus, Terrence K. Mahon
  • Patent number: 11779173
    Abstract: A flippable toilet footrest has a first foot platform on a first side, the first foot platform having a toilet contour; a second foot platform on a second side, the second foot platform having a toilet contour; wherein in a first position, the first foot platform has a first height, and in a second position, the second foot platform has a second height. Therefore, a user may adjust the height of the footrest by flipping the footrest from one foot platform to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SQUATTY POTTY USA, LLC
    Inventor: Tony Nethercott
  • Patent number: 11781304
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a toilet and components thereof, including a toilet bowl, a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and flushing apparatus. Also described are methods for manufacturing such toilets and components, and materials suitable therefore. A disclosed toilet may be used in a squatting posture and includes toilet a bowl including a flat base for contacting a floor, the base including an outlet, the flat base defining a plane that includes a forward direction and a transverse direction perpendicular to the forward direction. The toilet bowl is shaped to define a rearward portion including the base and an elongate frontal extension for a user to straddle, the frontal extension extending generally in the forward direction from the rearward portion; and at least some of the frontal extension is elevated or inclined relative to the base to provide a clearance between the toilet bowl and the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: PROJECT NO. 2 LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Webb, Andre De Koning
  • Patent number: 11773575
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drainage net for suppressing biofilm formation, the drainage net including a drainage net main body having a cylindrical structure opened at an upper side thereof and having drainage holes, a first electrode disposed outside or inside the main body, a second electrode grounded, spaced apart from the first electrode at a predetermined interval, and disposed outside or inside the main body, and a voltage supply unit configured to apply, to the first electrode, at least one of an alternating current (AC) voltage, a direct current (DC) voltage, and a voltage in which the AC voltage and the DC voltage are superimposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Young Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 11767663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sink insert (1) with at least one holding rod (2) for cleaning rags and the like. The at least one holding rod (2) is designed to be flat at both end sections of the rod. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the sink insert (1) has bearing pieces (3) which are insertable so as to cover the edges of opposing sink edges and on which the end sections of the at least one holding rod (2) are held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Christian P. Benzing
  • Patent number: 11761187
    Abstract: A WC cistern (1) with a wall (2) which forms a substantially cuboidal water tank (3). An intake (5) with which the water tank (3) can be filled is guided through the wall (2). A shutoff valve (7) is arranged in the intake (5), the shutoff valve interacting with a switch-off device (8) which triggers the shutoff valve (7) when a switch-off level (14) in the water tank (3) is reached. An injector (15) is arranged in the water tank (3) in a construction space (13) above the switch-off level (14). The outflow-side outlet (16) of the injector (15) is led out of the water tank (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Hauth
  • Patent number: 11759011
    Abstract: A mounting system for securing a sink to a countertop supported by a cabinet is provided. The mounting system includes a receiving structure configured to be supported under a rim of the sink, a bracket having a first portion configured to engage a portion of the cabinet and a second portion configured to engage a bottom of a basin of the sink, a linking member extending between the receiving structure and the bracket, a first connector configured to engage a first end of the linking member and retain the linking member relative to the receiving structure, and a second connector configured to engage a second end of the linking member and secure the bracket against the cabinet and the bottom of the basin of the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, Jason R. Miller, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 11751727
    Abstract: A religious purification apparatus suitable for practicing Wudhu at any suitable location is presented. The religious purification apparatus contains a reservoir housing, a cap body, a stool body, and a connection element. The reservoir housing contains a reservoir brim, a reservoir base, a reservoir cavity, a reservoir platform, and a holding platform. The cap body contains a stool receiving aperture, and a reservoir receiver. The reservoir cavity traverses from the reservoir brim to the reservoir base. The reservoir platform is positioned within the reservoir cavity. The holding platform is positioned within the reservoir cavity. The holding platform is connected along the reservoir brim. The reservoir receiver traverses along the cap body. The stool receiving aperture traverses through the cap body. The reservoir receiver is removably connected along the reservoir brim through the connection element. The stool body is positioned within the stool receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Mbaye Ndiaye
  • Patent number: 11740119
    Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a frame supporting a bowl for receiving excreta; a floating seat for a user to sit above the bowl; one or more seat load cells for measuring weight on the seat; and a floating hinge connecting the floating seat to the frame is disclosed. The floating hinge may comprise a pivot bar rotatably connected to both the toilet seat and the toilet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Joshua Larsen, Jared Blake, Jared Reynolds
  • Patent number: 11730670
    Abstract: A liner for use with a basin to contain a liquid features a plurality of bodies of flexible plastic. Portions of an inner face of a first body of flexible plastic are joined to corresponding portions of an inner face of a second body of flexible plastic, through which a plurality of openings are formed, to provide a multi-layer body of flexible plastic. Other portions of the inner face of the first body of flexible plastic are not joined to corresponding other portions of the inner face of the second body of flexible plastic, defining an air conduit between the first body of flexible plastic and the second body of flexible plastic for guiding pressurized air substantially from an air discharge apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventors: Jeff Ta, Lan Van Ta
  • Patent number: 11732452
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cistern, in particular an in-wall cistern, for a toilet or urinal, with a drain valve which has a closure body which can be lifted from a closed position into a flushing position. The closure body is designed as an overflow pipe and has a seal which rests tightly on a valve seat in the closed position, with at least one water intake line, with a valve assembly for letting in drinking water present in the water intake line, with a water discharge line for discharging the drinking water let in by the valve assembly, and with a controller which generates a control signal for actuating the valve assembly as a function of a sensor signal and/or when a predefined time interval has been exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Viega Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jennifer Hausmann, Patrick Dietermann, Patrick Steger, Andre Ruhrmann, Marko Vojkovic, Julian Ziegeweidt
  • Patent number: 11712097
    Abstract: A hair rinsing sink assembly for rinsing the full length of a user's hair includes a sink that is elongated and tapers such that the sink has a conical shape to accommodate the full length of a user's long hair. A plurality of grooves is integrated into the sink and each of the grooves is oriented to extend along a full length of the sink. In this way each of the grooves can accommodate the user's hair to facilitate the user's hair to be separated into a plurality of strands for efficiently rinsing the user's hair. A faucet is removably integrated into the sink for rinsing the user's hair. Moreover, the grooves facilitate the user's hair to be thoroughly rinsed after hair dye, for example, has been applied to the user's hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Brooke Simon
  • Patent number: 11702823
    Abstract: A method and apparatus used to secure a faucet to a countertop includes a brace with legs joined together at a nut, thereby allowing the legs to pivot about a horizontal axis of the nut. The nut is joined to a threaded rod that extends from a base of a faucet. The legs of the brace pivot such that the legs are both parallel to the threaded rod with one part of the brace above the horizontal axis of the nut and one part of the brace below the horizontal axis of the nut. The threaded rod and brace may then be inserted into a countertop mounting hole. The threaded rod is rotated from above the countertop, thereby drawing the brace towards the countertop and securing the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan Benstead
  • Patent number: 11700981
    Abstract: A portable assembly for housing a toilet having an enclosure having a doorframe cutout having a first perimeter portion formed around the doorframe cutout, the first perimeter portion comprises a knife edge extending out from an outer side of the front sidewall. The portable assembly further includes a door having a second perimeter being sized and shaped to substantially correspond to a shape and a size of the doorframe cutout, a gasket fit inside of a cavity in the door, wherein the gasket comprises a divot sized and shaped to correspond a shape and a size of the knife edge to accommodate the knife edge when the door is configured in the closed position, and a lock assembly configured to engage a wedge to provide a knife-edge seal via the gasket and knife edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventor: Chad Boudreaux
  • Patent number: 11692335
    Abstract: A drain connector (10) is configured to be installed with a sanitary appliance (100) from bottom-up. The drain connector (10) includes a main body (12) connectable at a first end to an inlet end of a waste pipe system or trap. A hollow stalk member (14) is received at least partially within the main body (12). The hollow stalk member (14) is arranged to extend and retract relative to the main body (12) via a second end of the main body (12). The drain connector (10) includes at least one sealing element (24) defining an interference and active sealing fit between the main body (12) and the hollow stalk member (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Robert Gemmell McAlpine
  • Patent number: 11690486
    Abstract: A toilet seat manipulation system includes a toilet that has a lid and a seat. Each of the lid and the seat is hingedly coupled to the toilet. A gripping unit is selectively coupled to the seat. The gripping unit is gripped thereby inhibiting the seat from being touched. The gripping unit removably engages the lid when the each of the lid and the seat is positioned in an open position. Thus, the seat is selectively retained in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: George P. Dashields, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11686078
    Abstract: A hands-free toilet flushing apparatus includes a mounting bracket, an input gear assembly, an output gear assembly, a flush pedal, an actuator arm, and a toilet handle connector. The input gear assembly and the output gear assembly are rotatably connected to a wall member of the mounting bracket. The flush pedal is operatively coupled to the input gear assembly, wherein the downward movement of the flush pedal rotates the input gear assembly in a clockwise motion. The output gear assembly is rotatably engaged with the input gear assembly, wherein the clockwise motion of the input gear assembly rotates the output gear assembly in a counterclockwise motion. The actuator arm is operatively coupled to the output gear assembly, wherein the counterclockwise motion of the output gear assembly applies a downward force to the actuator arm and the engaged toilet handle connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Reginald Wescott, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11680395
    Abstract: An apron sink kit is provided for installing an apron sink in a pre-existing cabinet. The sink includes at least one basin with rims extending outward from the top edges of the left and right walls and the front and back walls. An apron extends downward from the outer edge of the front wall rim and for a selected length along the sides of the sink. The sink is vertically supported by a cabinet rail under the apron and by the back and side edges of the counter top for top mounting or mounting underneath a cabinet top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Compass Manufacturing International, LLC
    Inventor: DeChang Li
  • Patent number: 11655646
    Abstract: A unitary pool cover housing for assembling a pool cover system such that the housing and pool cover system may be substantially assembled at the manufacturing facility and delivered together for quick installation at the pool site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: North Star Technology Limited
    Inventors: Toby Karsten, Drew Marlow