Patents by Inventor Peter W. Denzin
Peter W. Denzin 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).
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Patent number: 10851532Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The touchless sensor is located within a closed reservoir of the toilet. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The detection region is external to the closed reservoir. The processing circuit is configured to facilitate flushing of the toilet through interaction with the motor assembly when the object is detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
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Publication number: 20200157792Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Patent number: 10544574Abstract: A toilet that includes a bowl; a tank having a sidewall and a bottom defining a reservoir; a container located inside the reservoir and configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a connector for coupling the container to the sidewall; and a flush valve. The connector has a bracket coupled to the container, a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket into a hole in the sidewall of the tank, and a threaded fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head contacts an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion. The flush valve is fluidly connected to the container to introduce the cleaning compound into the bowl through an outlet in the bottom during a cleaning cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20200002930Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Michael LUETTGEN, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20190368178Abstract: A toilet that includes a bowl; a tank having a sidewall and a bottom defining a reservoir; a container located inside the reservoir and configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a connector for coupling the container to the sidewall; and a flush valve. The connector has a bracket coupled to the container, a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket into a hole in the sidewall of the tank, and a threaded fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head contacts an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion. The flush valve is fluidly connected to the container to introduce the cleaning compound into the bowl through an outlet in the bottom during a cleaning cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20190257064Abstract: A toilet that includes a bowl; a tank having a sidewall and a bottom defining a reservoir; a container located inside the reservoir and configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a connector for coupling the container to the sidewall; and a flush valve. The connector has a bracket coupled to the container, a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket into a hole in the sidewall of the tank, and a threaded fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head contacts an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion. The flush valve is fluidly connected to the container to introduce the cleaning compound into the bowl through an outlet in the bottom during a cleaning cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20170241118Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The touchless sensor lacks an optical path to the detection region. In some embodiments, the touchless sensor is a projected capacitive sensor. The processing circuit is configured to activate the motor assembly upon detecting the object and the motor assembly is configured to actuate flushing of the toilet when activated by the processing circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
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Patent number: 9689156Abstract: Disclosed is a plumbing fixture (e.g. a bidet or toilet) of the type having a frontal basin and means for directing a supply of water to the basin for cleaning the basin. The plumbing fixture includes a modular housing mountable behind the basin and at least one control positioned in the modular housing to control operation of the plumbing fixture. The control may be selected from the group Consisting of light controls, bidet wand position controls, bidet wand heated air supply controls, bidet wand water supply controls, lid position movement controls, seat position movement controls, deodorizer controls, audio device controls and ultra violet sanitizer controls.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Peter W. Denzin, Joseph L. Stauber
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Patent number: 9657471Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The touchless sensor lacks an optical path to the detection region. In some embodiments, the touchless sensor is a projected capacitive sensor. The processing circuit is configured to activate the motor assembly upon detecting the object and the motor assembly is configured to actuate flushing of the toilet when activated by the processing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
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Publication number: 20170058500Abstract: A toilet that includes a bowl, a tank configured to hold water, and a flush valve within the tank. The flush valve includes a valve body fluidly connecting the tank and the bowl, a float moveable relative to the valve body to open and close the flush valve, and a guide member coupled to the valve body for guiding movement of the float, where the guide member includes a chamber that is configured to hold a cleaning compound including a chemical compound and water. The cleaning compound is configured to be dispensed into the bowl through the valve body with the flush valve open.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Clayton Garrels, Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20150184368Abstract: Disclosed is a plumbing fixture (e.g. a bidet or toilet) of the type having a frontal basin and means for directing a supply of water to the basin for cleaning the basin. The plumbing fixture includes a modular housing mountable behind the basin and at least one control positioned in the modular housing to control operation of the plumbing fixture. The control may be selected from the group Consisting of light controls, bidet wand position controls, bidet wand heated air supply controls, bidet wand water supply controls, lid position movement controls, seat position movement controls, deodorizer controls, audio device controls and ultra violet sanitizer controls.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Peter W. Denzin, Joseph L. Stauber
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Patent number: 9045888Abstract: A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Joseph Stauber, Peter W. Denzin, Benjamin Marotz
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Patent number: 8978172Abstract: A plumbing fixture, such as a bidet or toilet, includes a frontal basin and a supply of water for cleaning the basin. The plumbing fixture includes a modular housing mountable behind the basin and at least one control positioned in the modular housing to control operation of the plumbing fixture. The control may be light controls, bidet wand position controls, bidet wand heated air supply controls, bidet wand water supply controls, lid position movement controls, seat position movement controls, deodorizer controls, audio device controls and ultra violet sanitizer controls.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Peter W. Denzin, Joseph L. Stauber
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Publication number: 20140123378Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The touchless sensor lacks an optical path to the detection region. In some embodiments, the touchless sensor is a projected capacitive sensor. The processing circuit is configured to activate the motor assembly upon detecting the object and the motor assembly is configured to actuate flushing of the toilet when activated by the processing circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Michael Luettgen, Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
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Publication number: 20140041109Abstract: A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Joseph Stauber, Peter W. Denzin, Benjamin Marotz
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Patent number: 8566971Abstract: A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Joseph Stauber, Peter W. Denzin, Ben Marotz
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Publication number: 20110113542Abstract: A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Joseph Stauber, Peter W. Denzin, Ben Marotz
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Publication number: 20110113540Abstract: Disclosed is a plumbing fixture (e.g. a bidet or toilet) of the type having a frontal basin and means for directing a supply of water to the basin for cleaning the basin. The plumbing fixture includes a modular housing mountable behind the basin and at least one control positioned in the modular housing to control operation of the plumbing fixture. The control may be selected from the group consisting of light controls, bidet wand position controls, bidet wand heated air supply controls, bidet wand water supply controls, lid position movement controls, seat position movement controls, deodorizer controls, audio device controls and ultra violet sanitizer controls.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Peter W. Denzin, Joseph L. Stauber
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Patent number: 7895684Abstract: A canister type flush valve has an upright cup-shaped hollow float working under buoyancy forces without a captured air volume that controls the valve during a flush cycle. Hooded bleed openings at a bottom wall of the float can be sized and numbered to selectively control the closuring timing of the valve. Baffles of the hood bleed openings redirect water bleeding into the float to prevent the water from spraying up against the top of the tank. The geometry of a seal retaining groove is designed to reduce leakage at the float/seal interface. For example, the groove has an annular wall with a compound profile forming a non-cylindrical, preferably serpentine, seal contact area. The seal is backed by a slotted flange located just above the retaining groove.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Peter W. Denzin
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Patent number: 7676858Abstract: A flush valve for a toilet has a valve body with a flow passage that narrows non-linearly down from the valve seat. The flow passage is formed by a surface that follows a polynomial expression so as to define a computationally derived flow profile that more closely follows the narrowing exhibited by falling water as it accelerates under gravity. The non-linear flow profile of the valve reduces the presence of air in the valve after a flush cycle is initiated so that greater flush efficiency can be achieved. The flush valve can also have a wide mouth overflow that narrows to improve flow in an overflow situation.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Daniel N. Halloran, Douglas E. Bogard, Peter W. Denzin, Sudip Mukerji