Patents Assigned to Kohler Mira Limited
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Publication number: 20220229532Abstract: A controller for use in a wet environment such as an ablutionary setting includes a display for displaying information related to the operation of a fluid delivery system. The display includes a light source, a semi-transparent layer, and a touch interface configured to provide an input to the controller. The light source and the semi-transparent layer are configured such that the semi-transparent layer absorbs or reflects light transmitted towards the light source and allows light transmitted from the light source to be transmitted from the display, such that the light source appears hidden when light is not transmitted from the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Marwan Estiban, Govinda Rao Koyala, Krishna C. Poduru, Richard Mead, Adam May
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Patent number: 11391021Abstract: A plumbing component includes a cold water inlet; a hot water inlet; an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture thereof; a flow shut-off mechanism for restricting the flow of water out of the outlet; a first flow control valve for controlling the flow of cold water; and a second flow control valve for controlling the flow of hot water. Each of the flow control valves comprises a valve member and an associated valve seat, each valve member arranged to engage with the associated valve seat to control the flow of water through the flow control valves to the water outlet. One or both of the valve members includes a graduated flow control bead arranged to seal against the associated valve seat to provide a graduated flow transition between a maximum flow state and a minimum flow state of the, or each, control valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITEDInventors: Barry Steven Hobbs, Mark Frederick Florencio Barton, Philip Peter Ineson, Alexander Colin Fagg
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Publication number: 20220146004Abstract: A mixing valve includes a mixing chamber, a first flow control valve having a first flow control opening, and a second flow control valve having a second flow control opening. The first and second flow control openings each have a diameter of approximately six millimeters and the mixing valve has a flow coefficient of approximately 2.5 when both flow control valves are in a mid-open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: KOHLER MIRA LIMITEDInventor: Kevin T. Peel
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Publication number: 20220121230Abstract: A control system for one or more ablutionary devices includes a valve having one or valve members each arranged to receive a respective water supply via one or more supply inlets, and an output for suppling output water to the one or more ablutionary devices downstream of the valve, the one or more valve members being arranged to control the flow of water between the one or more supply inlets and the output; one or more temperature sensors arranged to generate a respective temperature signal indicative of the temperature of any one or more of the water supply upstream of any one or more of the valve members, and the output water downstream of the one or more valve members; and a controller in communication with the one or more temperature sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Barry Steven Hobbs, Alexander Colin Fagg, Charles Maxwell Parker
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Publication number: 20220121228Abstract: A control system for one or more ablutionary devices, comprising: a mixer valve having a first inlet and a second inlet configured to receive a supply of hot and cold water, and an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water or a mixture thereof as an output stream for suppling water to the one or more ablutionary devices downstream of the mixer valve; and a controller in communication with the mixer valve. The controller is configured to control the mixer valve according to one or more target output water properties; obtain one or more operating signals each related to an operating parameter of the control system; and generate, based on the one or more operating signals, a diagnostic signal that indicates an associated failure mode of the water supply if the mixer valve cannot be controlled to reach the one or more target water output properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Barry Steven Hobbs, Mark Frederick Florencio Barton, Charles Maxwell Parker
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Publication number: 20220121229Abstract: A control system for one or more ablutionary devices includes a mixer valve having a first inlet and a second inlet configured to receive a supply of hot and cold water, and an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water or a mixture thereof as an output stream for suppling water to the one or more ablutionary devices downstream of the mixer valve; and a controller. The controller is configured obtain one or more current operating signals related to the flow rate of the output stream produced by the mixer valve and compare each of the one or more current operating signals to a corresponding historical operating signal, the historical operating signal being an operating signal previously obtained by the controller, and to generate a diagnostic signal based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Barry Steven Hobbs, Mark Frederick Florencio Barton
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Publication number: 20220121232Abstract: A control system for one or more ablutionary devices includes a mixer valve having a first inlet and a second inlet configured to receive a supply of hot and cold water, and an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water or a mixture thereof as an output stream for suppling water to the one or more ablutionary devices downstream of the mixer valve; and a controller in communication with the mixer valve. The controller is configured to obtain a supply coupling setting that indicates which of the first and second inlets is to receive, or is receiving, hot water during operation of the control system and which of the first and second inlets is to receive, or is receiving, cold water during operation of the control system; and control the mixer valve according to one or more target output water properties and the supply coupling setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Barry Steven Hobbs, Alexander Colin Fagg, Mark Frederick Florencio Barton, Charles Maxwell Parker
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Publication number: 20220098844Abstract: A liquid dosing apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a container into a liquid stream of a shower, toilet, or tap includes an adapter, a dosing mechanism, a damping control system, and a dispensing outlet. The adapter is arranged to detachable receive the container. The dosing mechanism includes a dosing chamber and a movable member. The dosing mechanism is arranged to draw a set volume of the liquid into the dosing chamber on activation by moving the moveable member in a first direction. The damping control system is arranged to control a dispensing rate of the set volume of the liquid by controlling return speed of the moveable member. The damping control system is arranged to allow and control adjustment of the dispensing rate. The dispensing outlet is arranged to dispense the liquid into the water stream at the controlled dispensing rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventor: Ian Thompson
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Patent number: 11230833Abstract: A liquid dosing apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a container into a liquid stream of a shower, toilet, or tap includes a dosing mechanism that includes a dosing chamber and a moveable member. The dosing mechanism is arranged to draw a set volume of the liquid into the dosing chamber on activation by moving the moveable member in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a damping control system arranged to control a dispensing rate of the set volume of the liquid by controlling return speed of the moveable member, as well as a dispensing outlet arranged to dispense the liquid into the water stream at the controlled dispensing rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITEDInventor: Ian Thompson
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Patent number: 11230829Abstract: A mixing valve that includes a housing having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a mixing chamber; a first flow control valve for controlling flow through the first outlet to the mixing chamber; and a second flow control valve for controlling flow through the second outlet to the mixing chamber; wherein the housing has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, and the largest of these dimensions is no more than approximately 65 millimeters.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITEDInventor: Kevin T. Peel
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Patent number: 11193316Abstract: A hinge assembly for a shower door includes a first panel rotatably connected to a second panel. A first hinge member has a first body portion for attachment to the first panel and a first neck portion, the first hinge member being arranged to allow rotation of the first panel with respect to the second panel about a hinge axis. The first body portion is arranged to be connected to the first panel so as to lie at least partially within a recessed region thereof, such that the hinge axis lies within a footprint of the first panel. The hinge assembly further comprises a second hinge member having a second body portion for attachment to the second panel such that the hinge axis lies outside a footprint of the second panel, and a second neck portion arranged to be rotatably connected to the first neck portion to allow the rotation.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITEDInventors: Scott Davis, Christos Nakos
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Publication number: 20210237102Abstract: A spray head for an ablutionary appliance such as a shower includes a body with a fluid inlet, a spray plate with a plurality of holes, and nozzles of flexible material. Each nozzle has an inlet end for fluid and a discharge end adapted to project through a corresponding hole for discharge of the fluid, and a control member, movement of which is adapted to adjust the angle of the discharge end of at least one nozzle relative to the spray plate and the inlet end of the nozzle, between two end positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Simon Westgate, Adam May, Robin Whitfield
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Publication number: 20210219797Abstract: A fitting assembly for attaching an elongate member to a surface within a shower or bath area includes a clamp including a collar arranged to receive and abut the elongate member, the collar having an axially extending split, the clamp further including a finger extending outwardly from the collar adjacent one side of the split. A cover includes an aperture arranged to receive the elongate member, the cover arranged to retain the clamp within such that the collar is axially aligned with the aperture. A bracket is arranged to be fixed to the surface and to receive and retain the cover containing the clamp, the bracket comprising a receiving portion arranged to urge the finger so as to compress the collar portion at the split, thereby clamping the elongate member within the collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Ian Connolly, Richard Mead, Simon Westgate, Adam May, Robin Whitfield
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Publication number: 20210169279Abstract: A bath screen for mounting on a rim of a bathtub includes a fixed part and a movable panel attached to the fixed part by one or more hinges. The bath screen also includes a channel member disposed at or near a lower corner or edge of the fixed part or the movable panel and extending beneath the one or more hinges, the channel member being arranged to collect water falling from above and to divert the collected water inboard of the one or more hinges.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventor: Raymond YU
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Publication number: 20210148480Abstract: A faucet includes a body that extends between a first end and a second end, and is arranged to receive a mixing cartridge. A diaphragm valve is provided in the body, and includes a flexible diaphragm having a first side and a second side, the flexible diaphragm being moveable to open and close the diaphragm valve to control a flow of water to an outlet of the faucet. A fluid bypass, separate from the flexible diaphragm, is in fluid communication between the first side and the second side of the flexible diaphragm. A bypass valve member is moveable to open and close the fluid bypass to vary a pressure differential across the flexible diaphragm, to open and close the diaphragm valve. A push operated control member is arranged to move the bypass valve member at the second end of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Oliver Jones, Austin Bumpsteed, Karl Fearnley
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Publication number: 20210091292Abstract: An apparatus for recovering heat in an ablutionary or plumbing system includes first and second pipes for carrying fluids at different temperatures. A first heat transfer element is configured to be thermally coupled to the first pipe and a second heat transfer element configured to be thermally coupled to the second pipe, with each having an elongate portion extending in a direction away from the associated pipe. The elongate portions of the first and second heat transfer elements at least partially overlap. A thermoelectric device is provided that includes one or more thermoelectric elements located between the elongate portions, the thermoelectric element(s) being in thermal communication with the elongate portion of the first heat transfer element and the elongate portion of the second heat transfer element and being arranged to generate electricity from a temperature differential between the elongate portions of the first and second heat transfer elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Oliver JONES, Charles Parker
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Publication number: 20210079632Abstract: A diverter for use in a shower system, the diverter having a diverter inlet and at least two diverter outlets. The diverter inlet is provided with a diverter inlet fitting adapted to be connected to a hose or pipe. The diverter inlet fitting is freely movable about an axis of the diverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Colin Beattie, Stuart Banham
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Patent number: D913464Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Robert Karl Stevenson, Alexander Muspratt-Williams, Mathias Hahn
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Patent number: D925018Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITEDInventors: Robert Karl Stevenson, Alexander Muspratt-Williams, Mathias Hahn
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Patent number: D945577Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITEDInventors: Robert K. Stevenson, Alexander M. Muspratt-Williams, Mimi Jiang