Patents by Inventor Robert M. Jensen

Robert M. Jensen 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: 20260201687
    Abstract: A toilet assembly may include a toilet tank that houses a container, a toilet bowl, and a trapway. The container may include a vacuum chamber that has a closed upper end. An air transfer opening may be positioned between a region exterior to the vacuum chamber and the interior of the vacuum chamber. A connecting tube may provide flow communication between the container and the trapway. When the toilet assembly is between flush cycles the upper end of the vacuum chamber and the trapway may contain pressurized air, and the flush water level in the vacuum chamber is above the air transfer opening. During a flush cycle, the flush water level in the vacuum chamber may drop below the air transfer opening, allowing flow communication of air between the region exterior to the vacuum chamber and the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: July 16, 2026
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. JENSEN
  • Patent number: 12577768
    Abstract: A touchless siphon valve assembly for a toilet assembly having a toilet tank, the touchless siphon valve assembly comprising a control assembly and a siphon valve assembly, wherein the control assembly comprises a capacitive sensor, a controller, and a power source, and the siphon valve assembly comprises a tubular core, a head coupled to and surrounding an upper end of the tubular core, a spray initiator positioned in the head and extending into the tubular core, and a solenoid valve fluidly coupled to the spray initiator, the capacitive sensor is configured to detect a user gesture, and to indicate detection of the first gesture to the controller to initiate a flush cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahendra Gunawardena, Robert M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20250277360
    Abstract: A toilet assembly may comprise a toilet tank to hold flush water, a flush valve assembly positioned in the toilet tank, a toilet deck, a toilet bowl, a trapway in flow communication with the toilet bowl, a container positioned in the toilet tank, and a connecting tube extending from an interior of the container to the trapway. A first gasket positioned between the toilet tank and the toilet deck may form a seal around the flush valve assembly. A second gasket positioned between the toilet tank and the toilet deck may form a seal around the connecting tube. The first gasket may comprise a recess for receiving the flush valve assembly and a protrusion extending into the toilet deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: September 4, 2025
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. JENSEN, Richard B. SUDOL, JR.
  • Publication number: 20250263914
    Abstract: A toilet assembly may comprise a toilet tank to hold flush water, a flush valve assembly positioned in the toilet tank, a trapway in flow communication with the toilet bowl, a container positioned in the toilet tank, and a connecting tube extending from an interior of the container to the trapway. Between flush cycles, the tank may store a volume of flush water. The flush water may be divided between different regions of the tank that are defined by the structure of the container. Between flush cycles, the container and the trapway may contain pressurized air. A force exerted by pressurized air in the trapway on water in a lower trap may cause an upstream water level in the lower trap to be lower than a downstream water level in the lower trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. SUDOL, Jr., Nitin S. KOLEKAR, David GROVER, Robert M. JENSEN, Antonio ESPOSITO
  • Publication number: 20250230643
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture system comprising a plumbing fixture bowl and a trapway fluidly coupled with the plumbing fixture bowl. The plumbing fixture system further comprises a Venturi device comprising an inlet and an outlet. The Venturi device forms an interior volume. The Venturi device further forming a channel from the inlet to the outlet. The interior volume is fluidly coupled to the channel. Liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet causes a first reduction in pressure in the interior volume. The plumbing fixture system further comprises a conduit extending from the interior volume of the Venturi device to the trapway. The first reduction in pressure in the interior volume of the Venturi device causes a second reduction in pressure in the trapway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Robert M. Jensen, Nitin S. Kolekar
  • Publication number: 20250179784
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture system includes a plumbing fixture bowl and a plumbing fixture tank coupled to the plumbing fixture bowl. The plumbing fixture tank is configured to house liquid. The plumbing fixture tank is configured to provide at least a portion of the liquid to the plumbing fixture bowl to flush the plumbing fixture bowl. The plumbing fixture system further includes a fill valve assembly disposed in the plumbing fixture tank. The fill valve assembly includes an auxiliary port. The auxiliary port is configured to modify a level of the liquid in the plumbing fixture tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20250171994
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture system includes a plumbing fixture bowl and a plumbing fixture tank coupled to the plumbing fixture bowl. The plumbing fixture tank is configured to house liquid. The plumbing fixture system further includes a siphon flush valve assembly disposed in the plumbing fixture tank and an electric actuator configured to induce, via the siphon flush valve assembly, a siphon flow of a portion of the liquid from the plumbing fixture tank into the plumbing fixture bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: May 29, 2025
    Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
  • Patent number: 12227929
    Abstract: A toilet assembly, comprising a toilet tank to hold flush water; a flush valve assembly positioned in the toilet tank; a toilet bowl; and a trapway inflow communication with the toilet bowl, wherein, the flush valve assembly comprises a container having an open lower end and a closed upper end; a siphon flush valve positioned in the container upper end; and a conduit positioned in an interior of the container, wherein the container is in flow communication with the toilet tank, the conduit is coupled to the trapway and provides flow communication between the container and the trapway, and the siphon flush valve comprises a tubular core, a head surrounding a top of the core, and a fluid spray initiator coupled to the head, the spray initiator configured to discharge water into the core to induce a siphon flow of surrounding tank water through the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20240126308
    Abstract: A sanitaryware system may include sensors to determine a status or condition of one or more sanitaryware fixtures in the sanitaryware system and perform a particular function, such as, for example performing a flush, closing the flush valve and/or angle stop, sending an alert, initiating a service ticket. The sanitaryware system may automatically perform the function. The sanitaryware system may communicate the status or condition to an internet connected device and/or user, the device may perform the function or may instruct the sanitaryware to perform the function. The sensed information, sanitaryware system status or condition, and/or initiated response may be logged and monitored to improve the overall efficiency and operation of the sanitaryware system and the sanitaryware fixtures within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Behnam Heydari, Eric B. Soberano, Robert M. Jensen, Verne Myers, Christopher Helmstetter, Mahendra Gunawardena, Claudia Marcela Jovel, Ki Bok Song, Soonjae Kwon, Stanmir Stoynov
  • Patent number: 11886213
    Abstract: A sanitaryware system may include sensors to determine a status or condition of one or more sanitaryware fixtures in the sanitaryware system and perform a particular function, such as, for example performing a flush, closing the flush valve and/or angle stop, sending an alert, initiating a service ticket. The sanitaryware system may automatically perform the function. The sanitaryware system may communicate the status or condition to an internet connected device and/or user, the device may perform the function or may instruct the sanitaryware to perform the function. The sensed information, sanitaryware system status or condition, and/or initiated response may be logged and monitored to improve the overall efficiency and operation of the sanitaryware system and the sanitaryware fixtures within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Behnam Heydari, Eric B. Soberano, Robert M. Jensen, Verne Myers, Christopher Helmstetter, Mahendra Gunawardena, Claudia Marcela Jovel, Ki Bok Song, Soonjae Kwon, Stanmir Stoynov
  • Publication number: 20230323649
    Abstract: A toilet assembly, comprising a toilet tank to hold flush water; a flush valve assembly positioned in the toilet tank; a toilet bowl; and a trapway inflow communication with the toilet bowl, wherein, the flush valve assembly comprises a container having an open lower end and a closed upper end; a siphon flush valve positioned in the container upper end; and a conduit positioned in an interior of the container, wherein the container is in flow communication with the toilet tank, the conduit is coupled to the trapway and provides flow communication between the container and the trapway, and the siphon flush valve comprises a tubular core, a head surrounding a top of the core, and a fluid spray initiator coupled to the head, the spray initiator configured to discharge water into the core to induce a siphon flow of surrounding tank water through the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20230264206
    Abstract: A microfluidic oscillator nozzle, comprising a nozzle body comprising an exterior surface; an interior surface defining a three-dimensional space therein; a fluid inlet; and a fluid outlet, wherein the three-dimensional space, the fluid inlet, and the fluid outlet are inflow communication, the three-dimensional space comprises a first fluid interaction region fluidly coupled to a first pair of feedback flow paths, and wherein a largest nozzle dimension is less than about 20.0 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas F. Leavitt, Nitin S. Kolekar, Robert M. Jensen, Walter Pitsch, Emilie Williams, Matthew Kuhns
  • Publication number: 20230228075
    Abstract: A touchless siphon valve assembly for a toilet assembly having a toilet tank, the touchless siphon valve assembly comprising a control assembly and a siphon valve assembly, wherein the control assembly comprises a capacitive sensor, a controller, and a power source, and the siphon valve assembly comprises a tubular core, a head coupled to and surrounding an upper end of the tubular core, a spray initiator positioned in the head and extending into the tubular core, and a solenoid valve fluidly coupled to the spray initiator, the capacitive sensor is configured to detect a user gesture, and to indicate detection of the first gesture to the controller to initiate a flush cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahendra Gunawardena, Robert M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20220389700
    Abstract: An installation tool assembly kit for a toilet, comprising an installation wrench and an installation nut, wherein the wrench is configured to be removably coupled to the nut via an upper aperture of the nut, the nut is configured to be threadingly coupled to a flange bolt via a lower aperture of the nut, and the nut upper aperture and nut lower aperture are concentrically aligned. The toilet may be a concealed trap, skirted toilet and/or a pressure-assist toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: AS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Beda Angelo Pormentilla, Robert M. Jensen, Ali Ekbatani, Antonio Esposito
  • Publication number: 20210157340
    Abstract: A sanitaryware system may include sensors to determine a status or condition of one or more sanitaryware fixtures in the sanitaryware system and perform a particular function, such as, for example performing a flush, closing the flush valve and/or angle stop, sending an alert, initiating a service ticket. The sanitaryware system may automatically perform the function. The sanitaryware system may communicate the status or condition to an internet connected device and/or user, the device may perform the function or may instruct the sanitaryware to perform the function. The sensed information, sanitaryware system status or condition, and/or initiated response may be logged and monitored to improve the overall efficiency and operation of the sanitaryware system and the sanitaryware fixtures within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Behnam Heydari, Eric B. Soberano, Robert M. Jensen, Verne Myers, Christopher Helmstetter, Mahendra Gunawardena, Claudia Marcela Jovel, Ki Bok Song, Soonjae Kwon, Stanmir Stoynov
  • Patent number: 11008743
    Abstract: Flush valve assemblies are described herein which include a valve body; a flush valve cover detachably connected to a flush line; a pivot mechanism capable of opening and closing the flush valve cover upon actuation; wherein the flush line is connected at a first end to a flush actuating device and at a second end to the flush valve cover, the line being capable of raising and lowering the cover upon actuation; and a float situated above the cover and connected to the flush line at a point between the first and the second ends of the flush line or by a separate float line connected to the cover. The float is sufficiently buoyant and capable of resisting the force of flowing water and keeping the flush valve cover open to allow flush water to pass through the valve body before closing the cover when the valve body is installed on a toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: AS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
  • Patent number: 10221553
    Abstract: Flush valve assemblies are described herein which include a valve body; a flush valve cover detachably connected to a flush line; a pivot mechanism capable of opening and closing the flush valve cover upon actuation; wherein the flush line is connected at a first end to a flush actuating device and at a second end to the flush valve cover, the line being capable of raising and lowering the cover upon actuation; and a float situated above the cover and connected to the flush line at a point between the first and the second ends of the flush line or by a separate float line connected to the cover. The float is sufficiently buoyant and capable of resisting the force of flowing water and keeping the flush valve cover open to allow flush water to pass through the valve body before closing the cover when the valve body is installed on a toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: AS IP HOLDCO, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20190032317
    Abstract: Flush valve assemblies are described herein which include a valve body; a flush valve cover detachably connected to a flush line; a pivot mechanism capable of opening and closing the flush valve cover upon actuation; wherein the flush line is connected at a first end to a flush actuating device and at a second end to the flush valve cover, the line being capable of raising and lowering the cover upon actuation; and a float situated above the cover and connected to the flush line at a point between the first and the second ends of the flush line or by a separate float line connected to the cover. The float is sufficiently buoyant and capable of resisting the force of flowing water and keeping the flush valve cover open to allow flush water to pass through the valve body before closing the cover when the valve body is installed on a toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: AS IP HOLDCO, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. JENSEN
  • Patent number: 10077549
    Abstract: Kits and methods for installing a toilet bowl or toilet assembly without tools, and an installed toilet assembly, are described. The methods and assembly work with an existing flange or can include a standard closet flange configured to receive a flange bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: AS IP HOLDCO, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Jensen, David Grover, James P. Walsh
  • Patent number: D1069054
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Jensen, Antonio Esposito