Patents by Inventor Michael Luettgen
Michael Luettgen 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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Publication number: 20240117618Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Patent number: 11920336Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Patent number: 11913211Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20230265643Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Patent number: 11674298Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20230075406Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Patent number: 11542698Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20220127832Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20210388592Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20210355668Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Patent number: 11105082Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20200407962Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Publication number: 20200002930Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Michael LUETTGEN, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
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Patent number: 10450733Abstract: A toilet that includes a water tank having a vent hole; a bowl; and a system having a valve body connecting the tank and a fluid channel; a housing moveable relative to the valve body during a flush cycle to pass water from the tank into the bowl through the fluid channel, the housing having a bore that connects with the fluid channel; a fan in the bore that operates in first and second modes; a motor in the bore for rotating the fan in each mode; and a vent having an inlet fluidly connected with the bore and an outlet fluidly connected with the vent hole. In the first mode, the fan moves air from the bowl to the vent hole through the bore and vent; and in the second mode, the fan moves air from outside the tank to the bowl through the vent hole and bore.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter Denzin
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Publication number: 20190063054Abstract: A toilet that includes a water tank having a vent hole; a bowl; and a system having a valve body connecting the tank and a fluid channel; a housing moveable relative to the valve body during a flush cycle to pass water from the tank into the bowl through the fluid channel, the housing having a bore that connects with the fluid channel; a fan in the bore that operates in first and second modes; a motor in the bore for rotating the fan in each mode; and a vent having an inlet fluidly connected with the bore and an outlet fluidly connected with the vent hole. In the first mode, the fan moves air from the bowl to the vent hole through the bore and vent; and in the second mode, the fan moves air from outside the tank to the bowl through the vent hole and bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter Denzin
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Publication number: 20170058500Abstract: A toilet that includes a bowl, a tank configured to hold water, and a flush valve within the tank. The flush valve includes a valve body fluidly connecting the tank and the bowl, a float moveable relative to the valve body to open and close the flush valve, and a guide member coupled to the valve body for guiding movement of the float, where the guide member includes a chamber that is configured to hold a cleaning compound including a chemical compound and water. The cleaning compound is configured to be dispensed into the bowl through the valve body with the flush valve open.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Clayton Garrels, Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Peter W. Denzin
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Patent number: 9380918Abstract: Various disclosed systems relate to fixtures, such as toilets, that include a lighting mechanism for illuminating portions of the fixture. One embodiment relates to a toilet. The seat assembly of the toilet includes a hinge assembly having a hinge housing and a lighting mechanism. The lighting mechanism is at least partially encapsulated by the hinge housing. The lighting mechanism including a first light source and a power source. The seat assembly further includes a lid pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The seat assembly includes a ring pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The lighting mechanism is configured to direct light at the tank and to direct light into the bowl such that light is reflected off of the tank and off of an interior of the bowl.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Roger W. Murphy, Michael Luettgen, Gary Clarke, Joseph L. Stauber
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Publication number: 20140250578Abstract: Various disclosed systems relate to fixtures, such as toilets, that include a lighting mechanism for illuminating portions of the fixture. One embodiment relates to a toilet. The seat assembly of the toilet includes a hinge assembly having a hinge housing and a lighting mechanism. The lighting mechanism is at least partially encapsulated by the hinge housing. The lighting mechanism including a first light source and a power source. The seat assembly further includes a lid pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The seat assembly includes a ring pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The lighting mechanism is configured to direct light at the tank and to direct light into the bowl such that light is reflected off of the tank and off of an interior of the bowl.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Roger W. Murphy, Michael Luettgen, Gary Clarke, Joseph L. Stauber
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Publication number: 20140123378Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The touchless sensor lacks an optical path to the detection region. In some embodiments, the touchless sensor is a projected capacitive sensor. The processing circuit is configured to activate the motor assembly upon detecting the object and the motor assembly is configured to actuate flushing of the toilet when activated by the processing circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Michael Luettgen, Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
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Publication number: 20070263374Abstract: A motor vehicle instrument cluster comprising an analog indicator assembly having a pointer rotatably coupled to an actuator for a movement by the actuator, and a display assembly including a display screen for displaying information to an occupant of the motor vehicle and a printed circuit board electrically connected to the indicator assembly and the display assembly. In addition, the printed circuit board is electrically connected to an electrical ground and a metal support frame is mounted to the printed circuit board and coupled thereby to the electrical ground. The metal frame includes a support tray spaced apart from the printed circuit board, defining a gap in between. Finally, the display assembly is mounted in thermal communication to the support tray and the frame and the printed circuit board cooperate to define a static discharge path between the display assembly and the electrical ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2006Publication date: November 15, 2007Inventors: Michael Luettgen, Paul Weindorf, Brian Schweitzer