Patents by Inventor Erich Slothower
Erich Slothower 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).
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Patent number: 12635843Abstract: The following embodiments include magnetic based devices, systems, and techniques applicable in a bathroom setting or a kitchen setting. A magnetic cleaning system is configured to clean a surface in the bathroom setting or kitchen setting. A magnetic mounting assembly is configured to mount a magnetic accessory. A cabinet includes the magnetic mounting assembly. A shower panel may include one or more magnetic acoustic shower tiles. A levitating drain stopper system for a basin is configured to magnetic open or close an opening in the basin. A magnetic water steering device is configured to magnetically direct water in a predetermined path.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2023Date of Patent: May 26, 2026Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Kathryn L. Clouse, Helene L. Cornils, Brianna L. Crotty, Diego A. Cuervo Ayala, Amber L. Hall Nelson, Jason M. Kwacz, Jesse N. Lemel, John O. Lipinski, Dustin Lobner, Katerina A. Revelis, Mark Schibur, Erich Slothower, Andrew L. Smith, Jennifer L. Tarplee, Yunjie Zhang, Rebecca Becker, Lindsay Hartman, Aaron Mitchell
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Publication number: 20250326013Abstract: A vessel rinsing device configured to apply pressurized water and soap to a vessel or other similar container with the objective of cleaning and rinsing the vessel. In examples, a vessel rinsing device may include a mounting element disposed below a lower escutcheon, an upper escutcheon couped to the lower escutcheon, a fluid dispersion assembly disposed within the upper escutcheon, and a soap dispenser defined within a portion of the lower escutcheon. The soap dispenser can dispense soap into a water stream to create a water and soap mixture. Optionally, the vessel rinsing device can include a pair of water type indicators for differentiating between hot and cold water, and a light-emitting diode for providing illumination during vessel cleaning operations. Vessel rinsing systems and methods of operating a vessel rinsing device are also provided by the present disclosure. Escutcheons with vessel rinsing devices and waterfall features are also provided herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2025Publication date: October 23, 2025Inventors: Carlos Felipe Uceda, Erich Slothower, Joyce Kung
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Patent number: 12268342Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 25, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
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Publication number: 20240301670Abstract: A sprayhead hose retraction system including one or more pully assemblies having one or more pullies. Each of the one or more pullies have defined grooves configured to receive a hose, at least in part, wherein a first end of the hose is connected to a sprayhead of a faucet and wherein the hose wraps around the one or more pullies such that extension of the sprayhead moves or rotates the one or more pullies as the sprayhead extends from the faucet. When the sprayhead is released by a user, the one or more pullies provide a force onto the hose which automatically causes retraction of the sprayhead into the faucet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2024Publication date: September 12, 2024Inventors: Jacob Frye, Erich Slothower
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Publication number: 20240295103Abstract: A seamless drain system includes a sink basin having sidewalls and a bottom wall, and a seamless drain sidewall extending contiguously and below the bottom wall. The drain sidewall terminates in an attachment bayonet. The attachment bayonet includes an annular flange for removably coupling to a drainpipe adaptor or a disposal system. The sidewall includes a fluid line attachment stem for coupling a fluid line directly to the sidewall and drain. Accessories, such as a rubber splashguard or strainer basket, can be used in combination with a spray ring that nests within the drain sidewall and is in fluid communication with the fluid line, can be incorporated into the seamless drain system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2024Publication date: September 5, 2024Inventors: Erich SLOTHOWER, Todd LEONHARD, Kenneth Andrew KAPAL, Jason R. MILLER, Thomas Spankowski
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Publication number: 20240200316Abstract: A disposal system utilizing a direct injection of water for an amount of time to sufficiently sanitize a chamber of the disposal system. The disposal system includes a chamber coupled to a drain of a sink at a first end of the chamber, and to a drainpipe at a second end of the chamber. A cutting mechanism, such as a rotary cutting blade, is positioned within the chamber near a floor of the chamber. A fluid-injection unit, such as a flange attachment, coupled to the first end of the chamber and the drain of the sink, includes a plurality of nozzles for introducing a fluid in a variety of streams in different directions to reach substantially an entirety of the chamber. The flange attachment can also include a water line attachment for connecting to a water line, with an optional ozone generator upstream from the disposal system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: June 20, 2024Inventors: Todd Leonhard, Jason Miller, Kenneth Kapal, Erich Slothower, Pete Kajuch, Andrew Wasz, Eder Perez, Margaret Mazz, Evan Grybush, Matthew Wegner, Niels Eimus, Josh Hippert, Jonathan Bradley
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Publication number: 20240167259Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed towards a clean drain system. The clean drain system includes drain stopper system, a seal, and a flange. The seal is coupled to the flange. The drain stopper system is positioned through the seal. The drain stopper system further includes a drain cover, a drain housing, and a basket. The drain cover along a vertical axis to allow or prevent the flow of water through the tailpipe. The basket includes a plurality of openings. The basket is configured to catch debris as it flows downward through the drain to prevent the drain from clogging. The clean drain system further includes an overflow cover, an overflow tube, and a collar. The collar is positioned around the drain housing. The overflow cover is coupled to the overflow tube. The collar is coupled to another end of the overflow tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2023Publication date: May 23, 2024Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Andrew Smith, Erich Slothower, Michael Smith, Vikas Salunke
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Publication number: 20230404352Abstract: The following embodiments include magnetic based devices, systems, and techniques applicable in a bathroom setting or a kitchen setting. A magnetic cleaning system is configured to clean a surface in the bathroom setting or kitchen setting. A magnetic mounting assembly is configured to mount a magnetic accessory. A cabinet includes the magnetic mounting assembly. A shower panel may include one or more magnetic acoustic shower tiles. A levitating drain stopper system for a basin is configured to magnetic open or close an opening in the basin. A magnetic water steering device is configured to magnetically direct water in a predetermined path.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Kathryn L. Clouse, Helene L. Cornils, Brianna L. Crotty, Diego A. Cuervo Ayala, Amber L. Hall Nelson, Jason M. Kwacz, Jesse N. Lemel, John O. Lipinski, Dustin Lobner, Katerina A. Revlis, Mark Schibur, Erich Slothower, Andrew L. Smith, Jennifer L. Tarplee, Yunjie Zhang, Rebecca Becker, Lindsay Hartman, Aaron Mitchell
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Publication number: 20230363596Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
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Patent number: 11744415Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
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Publication number: 20220354318Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
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Patent number: 11426036Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
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Publication number: 20210321838Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
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Patent number: D849834Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Glowforge Inc.Inventors: Mark Gosselin, Anna-Pia Slothower, Erich Slothower, John Plunkett
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Patent number: D850528Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Glowforge Inc.Inventors: Mark Gosselin, Anna-Pia Slothower, Erich Slothower, John Plunkett
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Patent number: RE49248Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Glowforge Inc.Inventors: Mark Gosselin, Anna-Pia Slothower, Erich Slothower, John Plunkett
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Patent number: RE50196Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2022Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: Glowforge Inc.Inventors: Mark Gosselin, Anna-Pia Slothower, Erich Slothower, John Plunkett
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Patent number: D1071112Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: April 15, 2025Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Jeffrey T. Laundre, Erich Slothower
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Patent number: D1123123Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2023Date of Patent: April 21, 2026Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Anna-Pia Slothower, Mary Reid, Erich Slothower
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Patent number: D1128869Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2024Date of Patent: June 2, 2026Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Jeffrey T. Laundre, Erich Slothower