Patents by Inventor Clayton Garrels

Clayton Garrels has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240133170
    Abstract: A chemical dispensing system for a toilet that includes a container configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a bracket coupled to the container; a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket and is configured to extend through a hole in an inside of the sidewall of the toilet; and a fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head is configured to contact an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240117618
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 11920336
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 11913211
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 11873634
    Abstract: A chemical dispensing system for a toilet that includes a container configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a bracket coupled to the container; a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket and is configured to extend through a hole in an inside of the sidewall of the toilet; and a fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head is configured to contact an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20230366184
    Abstract: An air drive system for a toilet includes a compression cylinder including an air space, a fluid space, a base orifice adjoining the fluid space, and an outlet orifice adjoining the air space, and an air drive passage configured to carry pressurized air to the toilet. The flow of water increases the fluid space of the compression cylinder or increases an air pressure associated with the air space of the compression cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Jeremiah Rauwerdink
  • Patent number: 11753808
    Abstract: An air drive system for a toilet includes a compression cylinder including an air space, a fluid space, a base orifice adjoining the fluid space, and an outlet orifice adjoining the air space, and an air drive passage configured to carry pressurized air to the toilet. The flow of water increases the fluid space of the compression cylinder or increases an air pressure associated with the air space of the compression cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Jeremiah Rauwerdink
  • Publication number: 20230265643
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 11674298
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20230075406
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20230059932
    Abstract: An ozone mitigation system reduces the amount of ozone that is expelled from a toilet or another water consuming appliance. The ozone mitigation system may include an ozone generator in communication with a tank of the water consuming appliance. An air source and a power source may be connected to the ozone generator. An ozone flow restrictor or ozone eliminator is operable inside of the tank and configured to modify a flow of ozone from the ozone generator through the toilet tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter Denzin
  • Patent number: 11542698
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20220313864
    Abstract: A panel for accumulation of aerosol particles in an indoor environment includes a surface plate and an electrostatic collector plate coupled to the surface plate and configured to hold an electrical charge to attract and accumulate aerosol particles. The panel may include or otherwise be coupled with an activation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, William Kalk
  • Publication number: 20220127832
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20220112704
    Abstract: A plume cleaning system for a toilet is integrated with a toilet. In one example, a plume cleaner assembly adjacent to a toilet seat is independently removable with respect to the toilet seat. The plume cleaner assembly may include a plume cleaner, apertures, and a fan positioned to draw plume air through the plurality of apertures for treatment by the plume cleaner and expel the treated plume air out of the plume cleaner assembly in a direction at an angle to the apertures. In another example, a plume cleaner assembly with the toilet seat may include at least a fan, an electrostatic collector, and a mist generator. In another example, a plume cleaner assembly is integrated in a tank of the toilet to generate a sanitization fluid that is channeled into the toilet bowl through an overflow tube and/or rim channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Clayton Garrels, William Kuru
  • Publication number: 20220074183
    Abstract: An air drive system for a toilet includes a compression cylinder including an air space, a fluid space, a base orifice adjoining the fluid space, and an outlet orifice adjoining the air space, and an air drive passage configured to carry pressurized air to the toilet. The flow of water increases the fluid space of the compression cylinder or increases an air pressure associated with the air space of the compression cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Jeremiah Rauwerdink
  • Publication number: 20220074184
    Abstract: A trip lever assembly for a toilet includes a body and an infrared sensor. The body is configured to be mechanically coupled to a flush valve assembly of the toilet. The infrared sensor is coupled to the body, and is configured to be electrically coupled to the flush valve assembly. The body is configured to be manually actuated to control the flush valve assembly. The infrared sensor is a time-of-flight sensor configured to detect the distance of an object in a detection region of the infrared sensor to control the flush valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: John Lipinski, Clayton Garrels, Timothy Waack
  • Patent number: 11261592
    Abstract: A chemical dispensing system for a toilet that includes a container configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a bracket coupled to the container; a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket and is configured to extend through a hole in an inside of the sidewall of the toilet; and a fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head is configured to contact an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20210404152
    Abstract: A modular wall frame for a recycled water system, the modular wall frame includes a horizontal frame module, a vertical frame module, a greywater tank coupled to the horizontal frame or the vertical frame, at least one water consuming appliance drain coupled to the horizontal frame module, and at least one water consuming appliance water input coupled to the vertical frame module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Niels Eilmus, Chanseol Chung, Clayton Garrels, William Kuru
  • Patent number: 11208798
    Abstract: A trip lever assembly for a toilet includes a body and an infrared sensor. The body is configured to be mechanically coupled to a flush valve assembly of the toilet. The infrared sensor is coupled to the body, and is configured to be electrically coupled to the flush valve assembly. The body is configured to be manually actuated to control the flush valve assembly. The infrared sensor is a time-of-flight sensor configured to detect the distance of an object in a detection region of the infrared sensor to control the flush valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: John Lipinski, Clayton Garrels, Timothy Waack