Patents by Inventor John Esche

John Esche 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).

  • Patent number: 12139899
    Abstract: A tankless toilet includes a bowl, a trapway, and a jet. The bowl includes a rim at an upper portion of the bowl and a sump at a lower portion of the bowl. The trapway extends from the sump to a drain. The jet includes a main channel configured to receive a supply of water from a supply conduit, and a plurality of distribution channels configured to introduce water received from the main channel to at least one of the sump and the trapway. The jet is configured to receive the supply of water from the supply conduit at a first flow rate and induce a flow from the supply of water into the trapway at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate to prime a siphon within the trapway. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate prior to priming the siphon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J. Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeff Laundre, Jeremy Rauwerdink, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach, Clayton Garrels
  • Publication number: 20210102364
    Abstract: A tankless toilet includes a bowl, a trapway, and a jet. The bowl includes a rim at an upper portion of the bowl and a sump at a lower portion of the bowl. The trapway extends from the sump to a drain. The jet includes a main channel configured to receive a supply of water from a supply conduit, and a plurality of distribution channels configured to introduce water received from the main channel to at least one of the sump and the trapway. The jet is configured to receive the supply of water from the supply conduit at a first flow rate and induce a flow from the supply of water into the trapway at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate to prime a siphon within the trapway. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate prior to priming the siphon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J. Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeff Laundre, Jeremy Rauwerdink, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach, Clayton Garrels
  • Patent number: 10927537
    Abstract: A tankless toilet includes a bowl, a trapway, and a jet. The bowl includes a rim at an upper portion of the bowl and a sump at a lower portion of the bowl. The trapway extends from the sump to a drain. The jet includes a main channel configured to receive a supply of water from a supply conduit, and a plurality of distribution channels configured to introduce water received from the main channel to at least one of the sump and the trapway. The jet is configured to receive the supply of water from the supply conduit at a first flow rate and induce a flow from the supply of water into the trapway at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate to prime a siphon within the trapway. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate prior to priming the siphon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeremy Rauwerdink, Jeffrey T. Laundre, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach, Clayton Garrels
  • Patent number: 10648163
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for controlling a flow of water through a faucet includes a shank and a head. The shank is configured to pass through an aperture in a wall and terminates at a flange at a first end of the shank. The head is configured to be coupled to the shank. The head includes a base, a top portion, and circuitry. The base has a first side configured to be supported by a first side of the wall and a second side configured to interface with a first side of the flange. The base includes an opening configured to receive the flange and a hole configured to receive a portion of the shank. The circuitry is configured to be positioned between the cover and a second side of the flange opposite the first side of the flange. The circuitry interfaces with the second side of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Joseph Blake, Perry Erickson, John Esche, Steve Radder, Ross Ristow, Joseph Stauber
  • Patent number: 10161118
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout base having a first end mounted to a mounting surface and a second end opposite the first end that includes an elbow, more than one water supply line within the spout base, and a hub containing a mixing valve. The hub includes an inlet end and an outlet end. The second end of the spout base and the inlet end of the hub connect together. The inlet end of the hub connects to the water supply lines. The mixing valve is approximately midway between the elbow and a dispensing end of the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Gregory de Swarte, Rafael Rexach, John Esche, Brad Raymond Hadfield
  • Publication number: 20180038084
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for controlling a flow of water through a faucet includes a shank and a head. The shank is configured to pass through an aperture in a wall and terminates at a flange at a first end of the shank. The head is configured to be coupled to the shank. The head includes a base, a top portion, and circuitry. The base has a first side configured to be supported by a first side of the wall and a second side configured to interface with a first side of the flange. The base includes an opening configured to receive the flange and a hole configured to receive a portion of the shank. The circuitry is configured to be positioned between the cover and a second side of the flange opposite the first side of the flange. The circuitry interfaces with the second side of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Blake, Perry Erickson, John Esche, Steve Radder, Ross Ristow, Joseph Stauber
  • Patent number: 9816257
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for controlling a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve controlling the flow of water through a faucet, is described. The sensor assembly includes a head including a bottom portion configured to be supported by a wall and a top portion. The sensor assembly also includes a proximity sensor including a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter projects a beam into a detection zone. The sensor assembly also includes processing electronics configured to cause the solenoid valve to open in response to a receiver detecting a reflection from an object in the detection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Joseph Blake, Perry Erickson, John Esche, Steve Radder, Ross Ristow, Joseph Stauber
  • Publication number: 20170247871
    Abstract: A tankless toilet includes a bowl, a trapway, and a jet. The bowl includes a rim at an upper portion of the bowl and a sump at a lower portion of the bowl. The trapway extends from the sump to a drain. The jet includes a main channel configured to receive a supply of water from a supply conduit, and a plurality of distribution channels configured to introduce water received from the main channel to at least one of the sump and the trapway. The jet is configured to receive the supply of water from the supply conduit at a first flow rate and induce a flow from the supply of water into the trapway at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate to prime a siphon within the trapway. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate prior to priming the siphon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J. Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeff Laundre, Jeremy Rauwerdink, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach
  • Publication number: 20160298320
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout base having a first end mounted to a mounting surface and a second end opposite the first end that includes an elbow, more than one water supply line within the spout base, and a hub containing a mixing valve. The hub includes an inlet end and an outlet end. The second end of the spout base and the inlet end of the hub connect together. The inlet end of the hub connects to the water supply lines. The mixing valve is approximately midway between the elbow and a dispensing end of the faucet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: GREGORY de Swarte, Rafael Rexach, John Esche, Brad Raymond Hadfield
  • Patent number: 9464415
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout base having a first end mounted to a mounting surface and a second end opposite the first end that includes an elbow, more than one water supply line within the spout base, and a hub containing a mixing valve. The hub includes an inlet end and an outlet end. The second end of the spout base and the inlet end of the hub connect together. The inlet end of the hub connects to the water supply lines. The mixing valve is approximately midway between the elbow and a dispensing end of the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Gregory de Swarte, Rafael Rexach, John Esche, Brad Raymond Hadfield
  • Publication number: 20160145840
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout base having a first end mounted to a mounting surface and a second end opposite the first end that includes an elbow, more than one water supply line within the spout base, and a hub containing a mixing valve. The hub includes an inlet end and an outlet end. The second end of the spout base and the inlet end of the hub connect together. The inlet end of the hub connects to the water supply lines. The mixing valve is approximately midway between the elbow and a dispensing end of the faucet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory de Swarte, Rafael Rexach, John Esche, Brad Raymond Hadfield
  • Publication number: 20150040997
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for controlling a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve controlling the flow of water through a faucet, is described. The sensor assembly includes a head including a bottom portion configured to be supported by a wall and a top portion. The sensor assembly also includes a proximity sensor including a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter projects a beam into a detection zone. The sensor assembly also includes processing electronics configured to cause the solenoid valve to open in response to a receiver detecting a reflection from an object in the detection zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Joseph Blake, Perry Erickson, John Esche, Steve Radder, Ross Ristow, Joseph Stauber