Patents Examined by Christine J Skubinna
  • Patent number: 11492785
    Abstract: A simple water outflow device which is an outflow device with an inflow pipe and an outflow pipe. The simple water outflow device consists of a body, an inflow pipe, and an outflow pipe. A discharge control valve is installed inside the body. The outflow pipe and body are a one-piece design created using injection molding technology. The inflow pipe is soft and flexible. There is an axial inflow channel and radial groove inside the body. The groove and the inflow channel are perpendicularly connected. There is a circular magazine on the upper end of the inflow pipe. A leakproof O-shape ring is placed on the circular magazine. The upper end of the inflow pipe is inserted into the inflow channel. A C-shape shackle is inserted into the groove of the body, and shackled into the circular magazine of the inflow pipe. This secures the inflow pipe on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NCIP INC.
    Inventor: Rong-Chyan Tzeng
  • Patent number: 11492787
    Abstract: A water control system including a showerhead and a tub faucet. The faucet has a valve configured to automatically restrict fluid flow through the faucet and direct fluid to the showerhead as a function of a parameter, such as a predetermined water temperature. The faucet has many modes of operation, including a Reset Mode, an Auto-Divert Mode, a Bypass Mode, and a Cold Mode. A flow control device generates minimal back-pressure when in the Reset Mode such that water does not undesirably back flow to a shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Evolve Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Doss, Jason Swanson, Heather L. Pinson, John Lockhart
  • Patent number: 11492790
    Abstract: A flush toilet deodorizing device includes an intake port part forming an intake port intaking air; an exhaust port part forming an exhaust port exhausting deodorized air; a fan device provided in a deodorizing air channel, the deodorizing air channel linking the intake port and the exhaust port and allowing air to flow; a water deodorizing part provided in the deodorizing air channel, the water deodorizing part using water to deodorize a suctioned air; and an oxidation catalyst provided in the deodorizing air channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotake Ukigai, Yuya Otowa, Shoko Uemoto, Shunichi Nakamichi, Kanako Isono
  • Patent number: 11486124
    Abstract: An analytical toilet is disclosed. The toilet is equipped to use energized flush water to clean excreta and other waste from the toilet. The toilet includes a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; at least one analytical device by which a sample of excreta is analyzed; a supply of flush water to be used to remove waste from a surface the of the toilet; an energizer to add energy to at least a portion of the to create energized flush water prior to its use in removing waste; and an orifice for directing a first jet of the energized flush water at the waste on the surface of the toilet. The disclosure also includes features to detect the location of waste in the toilet and selectively activate the energized flush water in order to clean the detected waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, David Crismon, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Patent number: 11486127
    Abstract: Provided is a toilet ventilation system and a method of ventilating a toilet bowl. In one configuration, the toilet ventilation system includes a raised seat assembly including ventilation tubing secured to the undersurface thereof, the seat being removably securable to a toilet pedestal shelf and positionable on top of a rim of the toilet bowl, with a ventilation system coupled therewith. In another embodiment a short elbow pipe is secured with an end within the bowl area, affixed to a ventilation system. The ventilation system includes a pipe tee having a delivery pipe in fluid communication with a suction pump, such as a wet-dry vacuum. By operating the motor of the suction pump, the suction pump draws odorous air out of the toilet bowl, through the ventilation system, and delivers the same into the outside environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Shahrooz S. Jamie
  • Patent number: 11486122
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a toilet main body, a tank device provided behind the toilet main body, and a private part washing device configured to wash a private part of a user, the private part washing device being provided on a rear upper surface of the toilet main body behind the bowl. The tank device includes a water supply part configured to supply flush water supplied from a water supply source, a storage tank for storing the flush water supplied from the water supply part, the storage tank being located behind the private part washing device and above a floor surface, a pump configured to feed the flush water in the storage tank to the toilet main body, and a controller configured to control operation of the water supply part and the pump, and the controller is disposed on an outer upper surface of the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Yukari Kawazu, Toshiro Umeno, Shu Kashirajima
  • Patent number: 11479986
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a pool overflow drain heightener that prevents pool water from draining through the pool overflow drain during normal usage, yet permits draining during an emergency overflow event. The pool overflow drain heightener includes a dam basin having an upper rim that defines a mouth configured to be positioned above the desired water level and above the lowest point of the pool overflow drain, such that the water level can temporarily or permanently rise above the lowest point, yet not drain from the pool. Excessive water levels will still be able drain through the mouth, and out the overflow drain, thereby preventing overflow of the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Rocketfrog Designs, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Baggelaar, Stacy Kapp Baggelaar
  • Patent number: 11479957
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a toilet seat assembly for delivering medicine, washing, cleaning, and drying a perineal region of a user. The toilet seat assembly includes a spraying nozzle assembly having one or more retractable spray nozzle units for delivering a liquid product, a drying nozzle assembly having one or more retractable drying nozzle units for drying the region, and a medicine delivery assembly for delivering a medicinal product to the region, the medicine delivery assembly having a medicine delivery nozzle connected to a medicine storage element containing the medicinal product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian Schwab, Shao-Yu Peng
  • Patent number: 11473283
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a toilet main body and a tank device. The tank device includes a water supply unit a storage tank, a pump, and a suction pipe. The water supply unit is configured to supply the flush water the storage tank while the pump is being driven. The storage tank includes a large tank section that includes a lowest bottom surface of the storage tank and that is a large-capacity side, and a small tank section that is a small-capacity side. The storage tank main body includes a water supply port on an upper surface of the storage tank. The water supply unit is configured to supply the flush water to the storage tank through the water supply port. The water supply port of the storage tank and an upstream-end opening of the suction pipe are both provided on a large tank section side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Tone, Shu Kashirajima
  • Patent number: 11473285
    Abstract: A urine splatter suppression device and related method are provided. The device can include a base that engages a rim of a toilet, an arm including a corresponding recess and/or projection that engages a base recess and/or a base projection so that the arm is removably supported by the base adjacent the rim, and a deflection plate is joined with the arm and angled between 60 degrees and 90 degrees inclusive relative to the arm and extending transversely inward toward the longitudinal axis of the toilet from the side rim of the toilet. Multiple fingers can extend upward from the deflection plate. The device can be configured so a stream of liquid impinging the plate and/or fingers from above the toilet is dissipated to impair splatter of the stream to an area outside the toilet. A related method of use also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Splash Guard LLC
    Inventor: Brandon E. Herbert
  • Patent number: 11473282
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a toilet main body and a tank device, where the tank device includes a water supply part, a storage tank, a small tank, a pump, a float switch, and a controller, a collision part against which flush water that is supplied from the water supply part to the storage tank via the small tank collides is provided in the storage tank, and the collision part is formed to cause the flush water to fall onto a water surface on the float switch side in the storage tank after collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Momoe, Shu Kashirajima
  • Patent number: 11454011
    Abstract: A connecting element (1) is provided for fastening a sink (10) to a worktop (20), which worktop has a cutout (21) for inserting the sink, which cutout has a peripheral boundary surface (22). The connecting element has: a base body (2) serving as a bearing part for bearing against the sink; at least one spring part (3.1-3.8) which projects from the base body on a first side and which is designed, under loading in the direction of the base body, to produce a spring force which acts away from the base body; and at least one anchoring part which projects from the base body on a second side thereof situated opposite to the first side and which is designed to engage in a slot-shaped recess (15) in the sink. An engagement direction of the anchoring part extends substantially approximately antiparallel to a direction of the spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Christian W. Bomatter, Rolf Neeser
  • Patent number: 11441303
    Abstract: The invention relates to a siphon arrangement (1) comprising a housing (2) with an inlet connection piece (3), an outlet connection piece (4), and a siphon seat (5) arranged between the inlet connection piece (3) and outlet connection piece (4), and a siphon element (6) arranged in the siphon seat (5), said siphon element having a siphon portion (7) and an inlet (8) facing towards the inlet connection piece (3) and an outlet (9) leading to the outlet connection piece (4). Water can be guided from the inlet connection piece (3) via the inlet (8) into the siphon portion (7) and from the outlet (9) to the outlet connection piece (4). The siphon element (6) is movable, in particular pivotable, in the housing (2) from a use position into a maintenance position, and when in the maintenance position can be removed, in particular pulled out, from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GEBERIT INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventor: Marco Oberholzer
  • Patent number: 11426036
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible toilet seat including a top surface; a bottom surface; an inner edge, at which the top and bottom surfaces meet; an inner region, configured to elastically and vertically deform inward relative to the outer edge in response to an applied load; and an outer region supported by an upper surface of a toilet and configured to support the inner region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
  • Patent number: 11419463
    Abstract: In one example, a lifting assembly for a toilet includes at least a track arm and a track. The track arm is configured to guide a toilet seat assembly from a first position to a second position. The track is coupled to a base enclosure of the toilet and providing a track path for the track arm, and the track path has a radius of curvature to limit the range of motion of the toilet seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Chanseol Chung
  • Patent number: 11419787
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling infrared radiation (IR) sources of a sauna including tuning IR wavelength-ranges and radiated power-levels of IR sources, and directing IR to locations on a user's body. In one illustrative embodiment, a sauna may be provided having adjustable IR emitters to emit IR at any wavelength resulting in a desirable radiation treatment for the sauna user. In another illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for tuning IR emitters in a sauna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Sunlighten, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. O'Keeffe, Aaron Michael Zack, Martin C. Ku, Ian Richard Kuklenski, Steven J. Murray
  • Patent number: 11421409
    Abstract: Provided are a flush water tank apparatus capable of restraining instability of an operation of a piston and restraining fluctuations in a water pressure of flush water discharged from a first discharge part provided separately from an inlet, and a flush toilet apparatus including the flush water tank apparatus. A discharge valve hydraulic drive portion of a flush water tank apparatus of the present invention includes a cylinder, a piston, and a rod extending from the piston through a through-hole portion formed in the cylinder, the cylinder including an inlet into which flush water flows, a first discharge part that is provided separately from the inlet to drain the flush water, and a second discharge part that is provided separately from the first discharge part and is formed between the rod and the through-hole portion and between the piston and the through-hole portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Hayashi, Hidekazu Kitaura, Akihiro Shimuta, Masahiro Kuroishi, Hiroshi Hashimoto, Koki Shinohara, Kenji Hatama, Takashi Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 11421411
    Abstract: A washing toilet seat assembly includes a toilet seat and a housing configured to be coupled to a toilet bowl to support the toilet seat relative to the toilet bowl. The housing includes a single cavity, a first cartridge interface structure positioned within the single cavity, and a second cartridge interface structure positioned within the single cavity. The first cartridge interface structure is configured to selectively receive a first cartridge. The second cartridge interface structure is configured to selectively receive a second cartridge. The washing toilet seat assembly includes a dispenser supported by at least one of the toilet seat or the housing. The dispenser is coupled to the first cartridge interface structure and the second cartridge interface structure. The dispenser is configured to dispense a first dispensable solution from the first cartridge. The dispenser is also configured to dispense a second dispensable solution from the second cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Norman Giertz, Robert Davis
  • Patent number: 11419464
    Abstract: A toilet seat assembly includes a base configured to be attached to the toilet bowl, the base including a toilet seat, a lid, and an energy source. A hydraulic cylinder in the base is operable to open and close the seat and lid using water from the mains water supply. The assembly can include a cleaning assembly at least partially housed in the base, such as one that includes a cleaning cassette configured to contain a cleaning product. A processor and valve assembly are configured to control a flow of water between the mains water supply and the toilet bowl in response to sensor or user input. The assembly is configured to clean the toilet bowl automatically and can also or alternately be configured for automatic opening and closing of the lid and toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Origyn LLC
    Inventor: Jason Thorne
  • Patent number: 11414850
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a toilet main body and a tank device that supplies flush water to the toilet main body, where the tank device includes a storage tank provided behind the toilet main body and above a floor surface, and a water supply device that supplies the flush water to the storage tank, a capacity of an upper part located at a position higher than a middle height position that equally divides the storage tank into two in an up-down direction is greater than a capacity of a lower part located at a position lower than the middle height position, and the storage tank includes a plurality of upper surfaces with height differences, and a water passage port is provided in a manner penetrating a highest surface among the upper surfaces to allow the flush water supplied from the water supply device to flow into the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Tone, Shu Kashirajima, Hideo Iwaki