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).
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Publication number: 20260201687Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2023Publication date: July 16, 2026Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventor: Robert M. JENSEN
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Patent number: 12577768Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2023Date of Patent: March 17, 2026Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Mahendra Gunawardena, Robert M. Jensen
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Publication number: 20250277360Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2023Publication date: September 4, 2025Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. JENSEN, Richard B. SUDOL, JR.
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Publication number: 20250263914Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2023Publication date: August 21, 2025Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. SUDOL, Jr., Nitin S. KOLEKAR, David GROVER, Robert M. JENSEN, Antonio ESPOSITO
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Publication number: 20250230643Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2023Publication date: July 17, 2025Inventors: Robert M. Jensen, Nitin S. Kolekar
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Publication number: 20250179784Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2023Publication date: June 5, 2025Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
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Publication number: 20250171994Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2023Publication date: May 29, 2025Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
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Patent number: 12227929Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
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Publication number: 20240126308Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 11886213Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2019Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20230323649Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2021Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
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Publication number: 20230264206Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Douglas F. Leavitt, Nitin S. Kolekar, Robert M. Jensen, Walter Pitsch, Emilie Williams, Matthew Kuhns
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Publication number: 20230228075Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Mahendra Gunawardena, Robert M. Jensen
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Publication number: 20220389700Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2020Publication date: December 8, 2022Applicant: AS AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Beda Angelo Pormentilla, Robert M. Jensen, Ali Ekbatani, Antonio Esposito
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Publication number: 20210157340Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 11008743Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: AS AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
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Patent number: 10221553Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: AS IP HOLDCO, LLCInventor: Robert M. Jensen
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Publication number: 20190032317Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: AS IP HOLDCO, LLCInventor: Robert M. JENSEN
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Patent number: 10077549Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: AS IP HOLDCO, LLCInventors: Robert M. Jensen, David Grover, James P. Walsh
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Patent number: D1069054Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Jensen, Antonio Esposito