Patents Examined by Lori Baker
  • Toilet cleaner spray hose and deodorizer
    Patent number: 9714507
    Abstract: A toilet sprayer having a mixing reservoir assembly for receiving incoming fresh water from a service line and for holding deodorizing tablets such that the deodorizing tablets mixes with incoming fresh water to form a solution. A spray hose in fluid communication with the mixing reservoir receives the solution. The spray hose connects to a hand-held spray wand assembly for emitting released solution from the spray hose. A shut-off valve can be used to shut off incoming water, a proportional valve can be used to adjust the concentration of the solution, a control valve controls the flow of solution from the spray wand assembly, and the spray wand assembly includes an adjustable spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Jose L. Snell
  • Drain clog removal tool
    Patent number: 9708804
    Abstract: A drain clog removal tool is adapted for removable attachment to a drain line and delivery of a pressurized flow of water therethrough. The tool includes an airtight coupler component having a first end adapted for attachment with a drain pipe and an opposite second end adapted for attachment with a pressurized water source. In one embodiment, a flexible tube is provided for connecting the pressurized water source with the second end of the coupler component for allowing airflow communication therebetween. The coupler component includes a check valve for permitting one way water flow (towards the drain line) and a pressure gauge for visually indicating the pressure within the drain line during operation of the drain clog removal tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Benjamin Colbert Palmer, II
  • Undermount sink
    Patent number: 9708802
    Abstract: An undermount sink system is provided for mounting beneath a countertop having an upper counter surface. The undermount sink system includes a sink basin and a discharge conduit coupled to the sink basin, which is positioned to expel fluid into the sink basin via an outlet thereof. The discharge conduit and basin are configured to mount to the countertop entirely below the upper counter surface. The flow of fluid through the discharge conduit may be activated via a motion sensor or switch coupled directly to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop. Controls for adjusting the temperature and/or flow rate of fluid through the discharge conduit may also be coupled to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop, or alternatively, to a surface of the countertop. Methods of making and using undermount sink systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Rod Gibson
  • Planar ring for messages proximate a drain
    Patent number: 9706881
    Abstract: A planar ring for messages proximate a drain stopper decorative device has a flat, wide shape. The ring has a top surface and an opposite bottom surface. The visible top surface has an outer edge upon its perimeter. The outer edge spans from the top surface to the bottom surface. Inwardly from the outer edge, the ring has a band with a width. The band's width falls within from about 10/32 inch to about ½ inch. Inwardly from the band, the ring has its inner edge of a constant radius lesser than the outer edge. Within the inner edge, the ring has an aperture that admits a stopper. The two edges attain a perpendicular orientation to the two surfaces. The ring has a multiple layer construction with a smooth transparent layer at the top surface upon an ink layer upon a substrate with a releasable adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Ann B. Brannan
  • Hot tub cover-insulation system
    Patent number: 9702156
    Abstract: A hot tub cover and insulation system wherein insulating blanket for use on the surface of the water in a hot tub is provided with a framework for attachment to the hot tub cover to allow it to be easily removed, stored and reinstalled when the hot tub cover is removed for use of the hot tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Urness, Mark Hendricksen
  • Soaking basin having magnetic jet
    Patent number: 9700483
    Abstract: A soaking basin is provided having a magnetic jet assembly positioned to provide a therapeutic liquid circulation within the basin. The magnetic jet includes an impeller assembly and a drive assembly. The impeller assembly operatively coupled to the magnetic drive assembly only via magnetic attraction, such that a basin wall and a disposable liner are disposed between the impeller assembly and the magnetic drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Footsiebath, LLC
    Inventors: Sasha Vinokur, Genya Vinokur, Michael Vinokur
  • Flush toilet
    Patent number: 9702135
    Abstract: A flush toilet wherein the rim inside wall portion comprises a rim inside wall upper sloped surface, and an improvement in user visibility and user rim portion cleanability is sought, flush water can be constrained from splashing outside the bowl portion by traveling by centrifugal force along the rim inside wall upper sloped surface from the inside surface formed at a relatively low height. The rim portion of the flush toilet of the invention includes a rim inside wall portion; the rim inside wall portion comprises a rim inside wall upper sloped surface, and an inside surface vertically extending straight up to the rim inside wall upper sloped surface; and the water supply apparatus comprises a constant flow rate valve for spouting a predetermined constant flow rate of flush water from the water spouting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Shu Kashirajima, Kyoji Asada, Satoshi Yamakawa, Kazuyoshi Mizoguchi, Masaki Kitamura
  • Urine collection device and a method of emptying urine from a container
    Patent number: 9693889
    Abstract: A urine collection bag (1) comprising an anti-reflux valve in the form of a foil valve (8), located at the inlet (5) of the bag. The valve secures a liquid tight seal of the bag when filled and that no reflux occurs during catheterization. The bag comprises a tube member (11) that can be brought in a position so as to bypass the foil valve and the bag can be emptied in an easy and non-messy way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventor: Lars Olav Schertiger
  • Mixer connection mechanism convenient to be mounted on countertop
    Patent number: 9689148
    Abstract: A mixer connection mechanism convenient to be mounted on a countertop is provided, which may be provided to be mounted to a countertop of a sink having a mounting hole. The mixer connection mechanism includes a base seat, a locking device, a screw rod assembly, and a position-limiting blocking lever. The screw rod assembly and position-limiting blocking lever are arranged between the base seat and the locking device. When mounted, the screw rod assembly is screwed up by an operation above the countertop of the sink to allow the screw rod assembly to be rotated, whereby rotation of the locking device is limited by the position-limiting blocking lever. Further, the locking device moves towards the countertop of the sink and abuts against a lower surface of the countertop of the sink. Meanwhile, an abutting end at the bottom of the surrounding wall abuts against the countertop of the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMY CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Xuguang Zou, Knud Robert Samsing, Venkat Tirunagaru, Zhuofei Chen, Xiaobo Li
  • Plumbing fixture having modular control housing
    Patent number: 9689156
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Peter W. Denzin, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Faucet spray head magnetic docking systems
    Patent number: 9683353
    Abstract: A faucet spray head magnetic docking system includes a socket that couples to an end of the spout, and a bonnet that couples to the spray head and that engages with the socket. The socket includes a shell configured to be arranged in the mouth of the spout, and integrated with one or more magnetic elements. The magnetic elements may be inserted into corresponding holes of the socket shell. Alternatively, the magnetic elements may be incorporated directly into the shell. The bonnet includes a threaded portion for coupling to corresponding threads of a connector at the spray head, and includes one or more corresponding magnets configured to magnetically attract to the magnetic elements of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: AS IP Holdco, LLC
    Inventors: Verne H. Myers, Xiaojing Ye, Nathan J. Wicker, Walter Pitsch, Philip M. Anthony, III, Aaron B. Eiger
  • Person-detecting sensor and automatic water faucet
    Patent number: 9677255
    Abstract: A person-detecting sensor includes: a range-finding unit that decides whether a distance to a detection object falls within a predetermined detection distance range; a received-light quantity decision unit that decides whether a received-light quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined received-light quantity threshold; and a continuation decision unit that decides whether a state of the detection object being present is ongoing. In the received-light quantity decision unit, after water discharge is started upon the detection determination unit determining a detection object to be under detection state, for a period during which the continuation decision unit decides the state in which the detection object being present is ongoing, the received-light quantity threshold is set to be lower than prior to when the water discharge is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Shirai, Nobuaki Itazu, Hiroyuki Oura
  • Oversized bath pillow
    Patent number: 9675214
    Abstract: A bathtub pillow for reducing a volume of water necessary for filling a bathtub and for providing support and comfort to a user's back, shoulders, neck, and head may include an outer shell defining an interior of the pillow, the outer shell having a front side, a backside, a left side, a right side, a top surface, and a bottom surface; a conformable filler filling the interior of the pillow; and a fastener attached to a surface of the pillow, the fastener being configured to removably attach to a surface of the bathtub. The pillow may be shaped to provide support to a user's back, shoulders, neck, and head. For example, the pillow may be vase shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Celtie Leigh Johnson
  • Water flow control assembly for a showerhead
    Patent number: 9677253
    Abstract: A foot-operated water flow control system for regulating water flow to a shower head. The shower head is connected to a first shower arm. A second shower arm is connected to a water supply line. A solenoid valve has an inlet port connected to the first shower arm and an outlet port connected to the second shower arm. A first electrical wire connects the solenoid valve to a power source, a second electrical wire connects an air pressure switch to the power source, and a third electrical wire connects the air pressure to the solenoid valve. An air pump is connected to the air pressure switch via an air hose. Foot compression of the air pump generates air pressure to close the air pressure switch. The power source supplies electrical power to the solenoid valve, which is actuated into an opened position and water flows to the shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Theis Corneliussen
  • Shower bar system
    Patent number: 9677256
    Abstract: A shower system, a handshower system and a transfer valve assembly. The system may include an adjustable supply assembly fluidly connectable to the water supply pipe, the supply assembly including an adapter defining an axis and having an inlet coupleable to the pipe outlet, a supply member having a supply outlet and coupled in fluid communication with the adapter, the supply member being coupled to the adapter for movement along the axis to adjust a distance between the pipe outlet and the supply outlet, and a seal positioned and operable to provide a sealed connection between the adapter and the supply member in adjusted positions of the supply member relative to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: John M. Wilson
  • Water closet device
    Patent number: 9670658
    Abstract: A switching mechanism is configured to switch an advancing direction of water injected from a nozzle by moving between a first position and a second position. The switching mechanism is held at the second position by a force received from the water injected by the nozzle during the tank water feeding process. A refill mechanism has a refill pipe for causing the water injected from the nozzle during the tank water feeding process and whose advancing direction is switched by the switching mechanism to flow in through an inflow port on one end side. The refill pipe is configured to lead the water having flowed in through the inflow port to a toilet stool body without flowing through a suction port of a throat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoko Ishimaru, Hidekazu Kitaura, Takahiro Maruyama
  • Nozzle assembly and bidet including same
    Patent number: 9670659
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly and a bidet including the same are provided. The nozzle assembly may include a plurality of sitz bath nozzles dispensing jets of water, wherein a plurality of water streams formed by the jets of water dispensed by the plurality of sitz bath nozzles contact each other at a water contact point to form fountain-like water streams. Thus, a clinical effect of the sitz bath is brought about as the pressure inside the anus is reduced. In addition, secondary diseases such as the urinary tract infection and the like for female users may be prevented, and the stress exerted to the anus at the beginning of the sitz bath function may be significantly decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: COWAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee-Ju Kang, Man-Uk Park, Sung-Worl Jin, Da-Woon Jung, Young-Pyo Kim
  • Waterless toilet system and method with ventilation control
    Patent number: 9668623
    Abstract: A toilet system includes a transport conduit, a flush member, an outer seal element with one or more ventilation passages there through, and an actuator system. All of these components may be mounted on a support structure which is installed on the slab or other foundation in the area of a toilet room and adjacent to a wall of the toilet room. A holding tank is located on the opposite side of the toilet room exterior wall from the support structure or other arrangement for supporting the transport conduit and other components of the system. The holding tank includes a ventilation stack and fan to induce airflow through the toilet system. The flush member and the actuator system cooperate to move excreta collected in the transport conduit to the holding tank. The outer seal element and actuator system cooperate to maintain a desired seal between the transport conduit and holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Convergent Market Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Pirelli
  • Drain plug kit with buoyant drain plug pull cord
    Patent number: 9661955
    Abstract: A drain plug kit and method of using the drain plug. The kit includes a buoyant member, a drain plug; and a biasing member configured and arranged to interconnect the buoyant member and the drain plug with biasing of the buoyant member towards the drain plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Sampair, Judd Alan Jackson, Marta Van Develde McCormack
  • Overflow assembly for bathtubs and the like
    Patent number: 9663930
    Abstract: An overflow system in the bathtub has an overflow port and has a drain pipe in connection with the overflow port. A threaded flange has a stub shoulder on one end which is fitted into a circular sleeve on the overflow port. The threaded flange has exterior threads on its outer surface and a thin diaphragm secured to the end thereof opposite to the stub shoulder. A large internally threaded nut is threadably mounted on the outer end of the threaded flange. A decorative cap is frictionally snapped into engagement with protrusions on the outer surface of the nut. The cap can be removed when needed to permit the plumber to gain access to the diaphragm to cut it open for fluid flow after the system has been tested for leaks, or put in place after the cut takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball