Patents by Inventor Don Gapko

Don Gapko 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).

  • Publication number: 20260016192
    Abstract: Point-of-use water heating systems, systems including such heating systems, and methods of operating such systems are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, a point-of-use water heating system includes a thermostatic mixing valve and a hot water tank configured to heat a portion of input water received from the mixing valve to become heated water having an elevated temperature. The heating system includes an actuatable valve and a buffering chamber having an outlet configured to provide, at least indirectly, output water having an output temperature less than the elevated temperature. The mixing valve is configured to output mixed water, and buffering chamber is configured to retain a residual portion of the mixed water when the actuatable valve is switched to a closed status. When the actuatable valve is subsequently switched to an open status, an amount of water communicated from the mixing valve undergoes a mixing with the residual portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2025
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Inventors: Matthew Schmitt, Greg Chesack, Don Gapko
  • Patent number: 12442560
    Abstract: Point-of-use water heating systems, systems including such heating systems, and methods of operating such systems are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, a point-of-use water heating system includes a thermostatic mixing valve and a hot water tank configured to heat a portion of input water received from the mixing valve to become heated water having an elevated temperature. The heating system includes an actuatable valve and a buffering chamber having an outlet configured to provide, at least indirectly, output water having an output temperature less than the elevated temperature. The mixing valve is configured to output mixed water, and buffering chamber is configured to retain a residual portion of the mixed water when the actuatable valve is switched to a closed status. When the actuatable valve is subsequently switched to an open status, an amount of water communicated from the mixing valve undergoes a mixing with the residual portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2025
    Assignee: INSINKERATOR LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Schmitt, Greg Chesack, Don Gapko
  • Publication number: 20240328673
    Abstract: Point-of-use water heating systems, systems including such heating systems, and methods of operating such systems are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, a point-of-use water heating system includes a thermostatic mixing valve and a hot water tank configured to heat a portion of input water received from the mixing valve to become heated water having an elevated temperature. The heating system includes an actuatable valve and a buffering chamber having an outlet configured to provide, at least indirectly, output water having an output temperature less than the elevated temperature. The mixing valve is configured to output mixed water, and buffering chamber is configured to retain a residual portion of the mixed water when the actuatable valve is switched to a closed status. When the actuatable valve is subsequently switched to an open status, an amount of water communicated from the mixing valve undergoes a mixing with the residual portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew Schmitt, Greg Chesack, Don Gapko