Patents by Inventor Lawrence Duwell

Lawrence Duwell 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: 9816259
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present application relates to a water tank for a toilet. The water tank includes a first chamber comprising an orifice for connecting to a toilet bowl. The water tank further includes a free-floating member within the first chamber that is not coupled to any other component and that is configured to selectively engage with and disengage from the orifice to selectively block or allow a flow of water through the orifice. The free-floating member can be selectively disengaged from the orifice via an actuator or a differential pressure within the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence Westphal, Peter W. Swart, Mark E. Baumgartner, Lawrence Duwell, Don Bogenshuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, John F. Emmerling
  • Patent number: 9233774
    Abstract: A box for a plumbing fixture includes first and second side panels, an end panel, and first and second corner panels, which are interconnected at parallel joints. In a first configuration, the box is collapsed and generally planar, the first side panel being folded at a central crease closer to a forward end than a rearward end thereof, and the second side panel being folded at a central crease closer to a forward end than a rearward end thereof. In a second configuration, the box is expanded such that (a) a cavity is defined between the first side, second side, end, first corner, and second corner panels, (b) the first and second side panels are generally planar, and (c) a sum of angles between the end and first corner panels and between the end panel and second corner panels is greater than 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Peter W. Swart, Michael J. Pagel, Lawrence Duwell, Chad Jorgensen
  • Publication number: 20140366259
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present application relates to a water tank for a toilet. The water tank includes a first chamber comprising an orifice for connecting to a toilet bowl. The water tank further includes a free-floating member within the first chamber that is not coupled to any other component and that is configured to selectively engage with and disengage from the orifice to selectively block or allow a flow of water through the orifice. The free-floating member can be selectively disengaged from the orifice via an actuator or a differential pressure within the water tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence Westphal, Peter W. Swart, Mark E. Baumgartner, Lawrence Duwell, Don Bogenshuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, John F. Emmerling
  • Publication number: 20140312105
    Abstract: A box for a plumbing fixture includes first and second side panels, an end panel, and first and second corner panels, which are interconnected at parallel joints. In a first configuration, the box is collapsed and generally planar, the first side panel being folded at a central crease closer to a forward end than a rearward end thereof, and the second side panel being folded at a central crease closer to a forward end than a rearward end thereof. In a second configuration, the box is expanded such that (a) a cavity is defined between the first side, second side, end, first corner, and second corner panels, (b) the first and second side panels are generally planar, and (c) a sum of angles between the end and first corner panels and between the end panel and second corner panels is greater than 180 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Peter W. Swart, Michael J. Pagel, Lawrence Duwell, Chad Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 8763803
    Abstract: A packaged plumbing fixture includes a box, a plumbing fixture, and a packaging insert. The box comprises a plurality of generally vertical sides that are interconnected to cooperatively define a cavity for containing a plumbing fixture. The plurality of sides include a first side and a second side that are connected to opposite ends of a third side. The packaging insert includes first and second generally planar surfaces. The packaging insert is positioned within the cavity with each of the first and second generally planar surfaces arranged generally parallel with and proximate to one of the sides. A sum of angles between the third side and the first side and between the third side and the second side is greater than 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Swart, Michael J. Pagel, Lawrence Duwell, Chad Jorgensen
  • Publication number: 20130008812
    Abstract: A packaged plumbing fixture includes a box, a plumbing fixture, and a packaging insert. The box comprises a plurality of generally vertical sides that are interconnected to cooperatively define a cavity for containing a plumbing fixture. The plurality of sides include a first side and a second side that are connected to opposite ends of a third side. The packaging insert includes first and second generally planar surfaces. The packaging insert is positioned within the cavity with each of the first and second generally planar surfaces arranged generally parallel with and proximate to one of the sides. A sum of angles between the third side and the first side and between the third side and the second side is greater than 180 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Peter W. Swart, Michael J. Pagel, Lawrence Duwell, Chad Jorgensen
  • Patent number: D668144
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Swart, Michael J. Pagel, Lawrence Duwell, Chad Jorgensen
  • Patent number: D678056
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Swart, Michael J. Pagel, Lawrence Duwell, Chad Jorgensen
  • Patent number: D684464
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Swart, Michael J. Pagel, Lawrence Duwell, Chad Jorgensen
  • Patent number: D693674
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Swart, Michael J. Pagel, Lawrence Duwell, Chad Jorgensen
  • Patent number: D743012
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, John F. Emmerling, Mark E. Baumgartner, Andrew Smith, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Don Bogenschuetz
  • Patent number: D747447
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, John F. Emmerling, Mark E. Baumgartner, Andrew Smith, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Don Bogenschuetz
  • Patent number: D747448
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, John F. Emmerling, Mark E. Baumgartner, Andrew Smith, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Don Bogenschuetz
  • Patent number: D747786
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, John F. Emmerling, Mark E. Baumgartner, Andrew Smith, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Don Bogenschuetz