Patents Examined by Janie M Loeppke
  • Patent number: 11781305
    Abstract: A urinal assembly having a frame and a plurality of posts or posts extending from the frame. The frame can include a plurality of openings. The openings can be defined by a plurality of sides and corners. The posts can extend from the corners and/or from the sides of the openings. In some embodiments, posts extend from a first face and a second face of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Fresh Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brown, Jeffrey A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11773574
    Abstract: A stopper cartridge for a drain system of a fluid basin, components thereof and related methods are provided. The stopper cartridge includes a stopper head and a strainer to strain fluid passing through the drain system when the stopper head is in a drain position. The stopper head and the strainer may be selectively removable from the drain system by manipulating the stopper head relative to the drain system or a component installed in the drain system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Drain Strain, LLC
    Inventor: Naushad Ali
  • Patent number: 11761185
    Abstract: A two-handle automatic faucet includes a faucet body, a solenoid valve core, a controller, and a sensor. The solenoid valve core, the controller and the sensor are mounted to the faucet body. The controller is electrically connected to the solenoid valve core and the sensor. The controller controls action of the solenoid valve core according to a sensor signal of the sensor, so as to correspondingly control water flow of the two-handle automatic faucet. The controller and the solenoid valve core are installed to the faucet body, thus, it is convenient for a user to install the finished product of the two-handle automatic faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Xingui Zhang, Yihui Chen, Mouyong Lin
  • Patent number: 11753806
    Abstract: The plug for a drain collects debris before the debris can enter the plumbing. The plug includes an outer rim; a conical core having a top cone end and a bottom core end opposite the top cone end; a cone cover being placed at the top cone end; and a plurality of cone ridges extending from the cone cover and toward the outer rim. The conical core has a conical surface with an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side, a plurality of flow holes, and a plurality of strainer holes. Each cone ridge has a top cone ridge end larger than a bottom cone ridge end so as to form a collection ring portion on the conical surface. The conical core can have a plurality of protrusions extending outward. Debris can be collected by the protrusions at the strainer holes and at the collection ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Patrick Gwen
  • Patent number: 11745988
    Abstract: A portable toilet is mounted on a skid. The skid has a pair of horizontal members with a terminal end with a vertically oriented hole. A leveler affixed to the horizontal member at the terminal end via a connector with a first vertical hole laterally spaced away from a second vertical hole. An anchor bolt is associated with the first vertical hole and engageable with the vertically oriented hole in the skid's horizontal member, thereby fastening the leveler to the toilet. A leveler bolt is threadingly engaging the second vertical hole for movement in a vertical direction in relationship to the toilet; and a foot associated with a lower terminal end of the leveler bolt. Whereby when the leveler is anchored to the skid and the leveler bolt is engaged with the foot, the portable toilet may be leveled by movement of the leveler bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Fred A. Wagner, III
  • Patent number: 11746516
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a bowl, a tank coupled to the bowl, a flush valve positioned within the tank, and a flush device configured to initiate a flush cycle. The automatic toilet further comprises an electronic sensing assembly having a sensing member positioned on the bowl for detecting an overflow condition of the bowl, an overflow device operably coupled to the flush device, and a controller in electronic communication with the electronic sensing assembly and the overflow device for controlling the flush device in response to a condition of the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Veros, Kurt Judson Thomas, Robert W. Rodenbeck, Garry Robin Marty, Derek Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 11746511
    Abstract: A faucet apparatus and method of implementing a faucet apparatus are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, the apparatus includes a body integrated or coupled to a base, where the body includes surfaces within which are formed first and second orifices that respectively extend inward into the body along first and second axes, respectively. A first cross-section of the first orifice taken perpendicular to the first axis has a first size and a first shape that are, respectively, substantially identical to a second size and a second shape of a second cross-section of the second orifice taken perpendicular to the second axis. The apparatus also includes a spout having a first end supported within the first orifice, and a sensor structure having a cross-sectional surface supported within the second orifice, where each of the first end and cross-sectional surface is configured to fit complementarily within either of the orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: INSINKERATOR LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Schmitt, Gregory Chesack, Mauricio Medaets
  • Patent number: 11739514
    Abstract: An automated urinal comprising a basin configured to receive a fluid; a wall; a trapway in fluid communication with the basin; a flush valve; and an automatic flush system; wherein, the automatic flush system comprises one or more sensors and a controller; the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of a first sensor coupled to an exterior of the trapway, a second sensor coupled to a rear surface of the wall, and a third sensor coupled to an underside of the basin; the controller is in electrical communication with the one or more sensors and is in electrical communication with the flush valve; and wherein the automatic flush system is configured to detect introduction of fluid into the basin and to send a flush signal to the flush valve to initiate a flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahendra Gunawardena, Verne Myers, Behnam Heydari, Niloy Talukder, Nitin S. Kolekar
  • Patent number: 11739548
    Abstract: A structural support system for a spa can include: a vertical support comprising a first portion and a second portion and a first side and a second side, wherein the first portion is comprised of a plurality of shaped openings being open on the first side and wherein the second portion is comprised of a plurality of shaped openings being open on the second side; a channel bracket, the channel bracket comprising a shaped boss on a first side and a first groove formed in a second side, wherein channel bracket further comprises a second groove formed in a third side, the third side being opposite the second side; and a spa panel retention member, the spa panel retention member comprising a projection to mate in the first groove of the channel bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Bullfrog International, LC
    Inventors: Nathan Tulett, Eric Hales, Creed Larsen, Mark McLane, Todd Andersen, Chris Lundell, Richard Alex Eddington
  • Patent number: 11731152
    Abstract: A drain gun includes a handle and a trigger. The handle includes a channel and a plurality of inlets. The inlets feed the channel. The trigger causes a staged release of a plurality of fluids from a plurality of cartridges to the channel via the inlets when the cartridges are stored in the handle and feeding the inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: DiversiTech Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Campbell Logan, Bryce Lowe, James A. Kitchen, Jonathan Sada, Keith Platt
  • Patent number: 11725373
    Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
  • Patent number: 11712135
    Abstract: A shower system for use in a shower environment includes a receptor. The receptor includes a fluid collection area and a rim. The fluid collection area includes a base forming a bottom surface of the fluid collection area and an opening extending through the base to allow water to drain from the fluid collection area via the opening. The rim extends outward from the fluid collection area along at least a portion of a perimeter of the fluid collection area. The rim includes a resizing feature configured to facilitate removing a portion of the rim to change a size of the receptor in one or more dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stout, Jose Luis Ortiz Palacios
  • Patent number: 11707165
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame, where the frame includes a plurality of telescoping vertical supports, a plurality of telescoping horizontal supports hingedly connected to a respective vertical support of the plurality of vertical supports, and a telescoping main cross bar hingedly connected to and extending between at least two of the vertical supports situated in a diameter depression in the at least two of the vertical supports. A seat is hingedly connected to the main cross bar, and an outer shell is operatively connected to a respective portion of the frame defining a plurality of walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventor: Mahmood Zaky
  • Patent number: 11702829
    Abstract: A method is provided for a plumbing parts supplier to reduce inventory of sink drain assemblies. Drain assemblies for overflow-type sinks have an overflow port, while drain assemblies for vessel sinks do not. Some drain assemblies have open and closed positions, while a grid drain or an umbrella drain does not. A drain assembly may be available in different finishes. Rather than having an inventory of drain assemblies for all possible applications, kits are provided that allow an end-user to assemble one of two or more drain assemblies. One kit includes a drain assembly for an overflow-type sink and a sleeve that fits in the drain assembly and covers an overflow port. Other kits include a drain assembly with a push-type open-close mechanism and means for keeping the drain assembly in the open position. Another kit includes a push-button drain assembly with an overflow port, means for converting it an umbrella drain and a sleeve for covering the overflow port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: PF Waterworks LP
    Inventors: Sanjay Ahuja, Harold Kent Beck
  • Patent number: 11700975
    Abstract: A bathing chair is a removable toilet seat having a pair of handles having a plank extending from a first side of the toilet seat suitable to permit a user to slide from the toilet seat across the plank. The bathing chair also has a wall support which may be removably secured to a shower or bath wall. The wall support retains the plank in a horizontal position of a tub or shower area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventor: Glen D. Clark
  • Patent number: 11700974
    Abstract: A bathing wall system including a back wall, an end wall, and a coupler connecting the back wall and the end wall. The coupler includes a U-shaped receiving slot supported by the back wall, and a male connector supported by the end wall and received within the U-shaped receiving slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey David Ferris, David Michael Ringholz
  • Patent number: 11697930
    Abstract: A handwashing station that includes a basin, a liquid dispensing system, and an air dispensing system. The liquid dispensing system is configured to dispense a liquid into the basin to wash a user's hands. The air dispensing system configured to dispense air into the basin to dry the user's hands. The user can wet, wash, rinse, and dry their hands from within the basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Chanseol Chung
  • Patent number: 11686077
    Abstract: A pipe unclogging device and system are disclosed. The device allows a user to clear a blockage in a pipe downstream from the start of the pipe system quickly and easily. To do so, the device provides a pipe with a branch portion, with a plunger device operably coupled to the branch portion. In use, the plunger device is actuatable to plunge fluid in the pipe, or it can be removed to provide a user direct access to the pipe system for other unclogging tools, such as a plumbing snake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Peihua Yu
  • Patent number: 11684194
    Abstract: A food processing system includes a base unit having a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end of the frame arm, and a retention fitting extending from the gear housing. An input hub extends from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention fitting and is operably engaged with both the drive screw and the retention hub to drive synchronized rotational movement thereof with respect to the gear housing. A carrier is slidably coupled with the frame arm and is operably engaged with the drive screw. The system further includes a first cutting implement and a second cutting implement, each being alternately coupleable with the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11680397
    Abstract: A drain stopper and strainer for a kitchen sink has a cap, a cap seal, an open-close mechanism, a strainer connected to a lower end of the open-close mechanism with an easy-connect mechanism, and an annular seal engaged with the strainer that seals an annular space between the strainer and a drain fitting. The cap seal preferably seals against the strainer. The stopper/strainer can be pushed into and pulled out of the drain fitting without assembly or disassembly. The strainer can be easily disconnected for cleaning and can be easily reconnected afterwards. For a drain fitted with a garbage disposal unit, the strainer has a hub-and-spoke structure for preventing eating and cooking utensils from falling into the garbage disposal unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: PF Waterworks LP
    Inventor: Sanjay Ahuja