Patents by Inventor Robin Whitfield

Robin Whitfield 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: 20250187023
    Abstract: Provided herein is a showerhead that may include inlets, inlet channels, and nozzles. The inlets may provide different media to the showerhead. The inlet channels may be connected to the inlets, such that the media flowing into the inlets flows through the inlet channels. The nozzles may include outlet channels, each of which are operably coupled to one of the inlet channels. As one example, the inlets may provide a first media (air) and a second media (water). When the first media mixes with the second media into an output, the flow rate of the output is greater than the flow rate of the second media. Even when a decreased water flow rate is used, a user perceives a high flow rate due to the introduction of air into the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2025
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Inventors: Prasanth Jayakumar, Jason Kwacz, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20250161892
    Abstract: A venturi is provided herein that includes a tubular passageway, a pod, a first entry point, and a second entry point. The pod may be positioned and contained within the tubular passageway. The first entry point may introduce a first media into the venturi, and a second entry point may introduce a second media into the venturi. The first media and second media may be any media, including fluid or gas. The first media may mix with the second media to develop a mixed media, and the mixed media may flow around the pod. The pod may translate axially within the tubular passageway via a translation rod and a spring. The spring may cause the pod to translate axially based on a pressure of the fluid entering the venturi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2024
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventor: Robin Whitfield
  • Patent number: 12297631
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recirculating shower system. The recirculating shower system may include a first shower outlet and a second shower outlet. The recirculating shower system may include a fresh water conduit fluidly coupled to the first shower outlet and a recirculated fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the second shower outlet. The fresh water conduit and the recirculated fluid conduit may be arranged such that warmer fresh water flowing through the fresh water conduit may heat cooler recirculated fluid flowing through the recirculated fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Sansum, Kevin Peel, Craig Fitton, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20250075475
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recirculating shower system. The recirculating shower system may include a first shower outlet and a second shower outlet. The recirculating shower system may include a fresh water conduit fluidly coupled to the first shower outlet and a recirculated fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the second shower outlet. The fresh water conduit and the recirculated fluid conduit may be arranged such that warmer fresh water flowing through the fresh water conduit may heat cooler recirculated fluid flowing through the recirculated fluid conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Nigel Sansum, Kevin Peel, Craig Fitton, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20250019954
    Abstract: A disinfection system for a toilet includes a toilet tank, a drain opening at a bottom of the toilet tank, at least one disinfection channel extending from the drain opening of the toilet tank to a pedestal for the toilet, and a valve system in the toilet tank, the valve system configured to empty the toilet tank through the drain opening to below a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: William C. Kuru, Clayton C. Garrels, Jason M. Kwacz, Robin Whitfield, Peter Kajuch
  • Patent number: 12180692
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recirculating shower system. The recirculating shower system may include a first shower outlet and a second shower outlet. The recirculating shower system may include a fresh water conduit fluidly coupled to the first shower outlet and a recirculated fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the second shower outlet. The fresh water conduit and the recirculated fluid conduit may be arranged such that warmer fresh water flowing through the fresh water conduit may heat cooler recirculated fluid flowing through the recirculated fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Nigel Sansum, Kevin Peel, Craig Fitton, Robin Whitfield
  • Patent number: 12163319
    Abstract: A plumbing system is provided with a digital mixer valve providing a principal stream having a controlled temperature and flow rate. A fluid delivery device is also provided downstream of the digital mixer valve, the fluid delivery device having two or more sets of outlets, each of the two or more sets of outlets comprising at least two outlets, and having an outlet operating valve being disposed upstream of each set of outlets and being operable to control fluid flow to the set of outlets downstream thereof. A communication link is also provided between the digital mixer valve and the outlet operating valves. The digital mixer valve is configured, in use, to adjust the temperature and flow rate of the principal stream in dependence upon which set of outlets or combination of sets of outlets is in operation at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Banham, Charlie Parker, James Bourne, Robin Whitfield, Craig Fitton
  • Publication number: 20240307899
    Abstract: A showerhead is provided that may include a plurality of nozzle systems (each nozzle system including a first channel and a second channel) and a first and second fluid path. The showerhead may include a first valve which may control a first flow rate of fluid flowing through the first fluid path and a second valve which may control a second flow rate of fluid flowing through the second fluid path. The showerhead may include at least one controller which may control the first and second valves. The first and second channels may be angled such that fluid exiting the first channel impinges on fluid exiting the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Robin Whitfield, Craig Fitton, Samuel Mason
  • Patent number: 12075953
    Abstract: A fitting assembly for attaching an elongate member to a surface within a shower or bath area includes a clamp including a collar arranged to receive and abut the elongate member, the collar having an axially extending split, the clamp further including a finger extending outwardly from the collar adjacent one side of the split. A cover includes an aperture arranged to receive the elongate member, the cover arranged to retain the clamp within such that the collar is axially aligned with the aperture. A bracket is arranged to be fixed to the surface and to receive and retain the cover containing the clamp, the bracket comprising a receiving portion arranged to urge the finger so as to compress the collar portion at the split, thereby clamping the elongate member within the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Connolly, Richard Mead, Simon Westgate, Adam May, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20240052619
    Abstract: A toilet flushing assembly includes at least a spiral trapway and a drive mechanism. The spiral trapway includes an upstream portion coupled to a toilet bowl, a curved portion, and a downstream portion coupled to a waste outlet. The drive mechanism is coupled to the spiral trapway and configured to rotate the spiral trapway from a first orientation to a second orientation. The first orientation evacuates contents from the toilet bowl and the second orientation advances the contents from the spiral trapway to the waste outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, Jason Kwacz, Prasanth Jayakumar, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20240018761
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recirculating shower system. The recirculating shower system may include a first shower outlet and a second shower outlet. The recirculating shower system may include a fresh water conduit fluidly coupled to the first shower outlet and a recirculated fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the second shower outlet. The fresh water conduit and the recirculated fluid conduit may be arranged such that warmer fresh water flowing through the fresh water conduit may heat cooler recirculated fluid flowing through the recirculated fluid conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Nigel Sansum, Kevin Peel, Craig Fitton, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20230295907
    Abstract: A plumbing system is provided with a digital mixer valve providing a principal stream having a controlled temperature and flow rate. A fluid delivery device is also provided downstream of the digital mixer valve, the fluid delivery device having two or more sets of outlets, each of the two or more sets of outlets comprising at least two outlets, and having an outlet operating valve being disposed upstream of each set of outlets and being operable to control fluid flow to the set of outlets downstream thereof. A communication link is also provided between the digital mixer valve and the outlet operating valves. The digital mixer valve is configured, in use, to adjust the temperature and flow rate of the principal stream in dependence upon which set of outlets or combination of sets of outlets is in operation at a given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Stuart Banham, Charlie Parker, James Bourne, Robin Whitfield, Craig Fitton
  • Publication number: 20230075110
    Abstract: A biofilm mitigation apparatus includes a supply container, a disinfectant generator, a power source, and a delivery tube. The supply container is configured to store one or more materials for a formation of a disinfectant. The disinfectant generator is configured to generate the disinfectant from the one or more materials from the supply container. The power source is configured to provide electrical power to the disinfectant generator. The delivery tube is configured to transport the disinfectant from the disinfectant generator to a biofilm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Yachna Garg, Jason Kwacz, Jennifer Tarplee, William Kuru, Peter Denzin, Andrew Smith, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20220002985
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recirculating shower system. The recirculating shower system may include a first shower outlet and a second shower outlet. The recirculating shower system may include a fresh water conduit fluidly coupled to the first shower outlet and a recirculated fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the second shower outlet. The fresh water conduit and the recirculated fluid conduit may be arranged such that warmer fresh water flowing through the fresh water conduit may heat cooler recirculated fluid flowing through the recirculated fluid conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Nigel Sansum, Kevin Peel, Craig Fitton, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20210237102
    Abstract: A spray head for an ablutionary appliance such as a shower includes a body with a fluid inlet, a spray plate with a plurality of holes, and nozzles of flexible material. Each nozzle has an inlet end for fluid and a discharge end adapted to project through a corresponding hole for discharge of the fluid, and a control member, movement of which is adapted to adjust the angle of the discharge end of at least one nozzle relative to the spray plate and the inlet end of the nozzle, between two end positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventors: Simon Westgate, Adam May, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20210219797
    Abstract: A fitting assembly for attaching an elongate member to a surface within a shower or bath area includes a clamp including a collar arranged to receive and abut the elongate member, the collar having an axially extending split, the clamp further including a finger extending outwardly from the collar adjacent one side of the split. A cover includes an aperture arranged to receive the elongate member, the cover arranged to retain the clamp within such that the collar is axially aligned with the aperture. A bracket is arranged to be fixed to the surface and to receive and retain the cover containing the clamp, the bracket comprising a receiving portion arranged to urge the finger so as to compress the collar portion at the split, thereby clamping the elongate member within the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventors: Ian Connolly, Richard Mead, Simon Westgate, Adam May, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20190249402
    Abstract: A slide rail mechanism having a chassis for holding a shower head, wherein the chassis is slideable along a slide rail, and includes a holding means for holding the chassis at a position along the slide rail, wherein the holding means is actuated by movement of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: ROBIN WHITFIELD, Simon Westgate, James Scott, Nic Burridge
  • Patent number: 6685042
    Abstract: A device for use in increasing milk flow from a feeder bottle. The device includes a shaft adapted for entry into a correspondingly shaped hole in the feeder bottle. The device further includes a retention element for retaining the device in the hole and a channel, formed in a wall of the shaft. The shaft is movable such that it can, in a first position, seal the hole closed and, in another position (illustrated), permit airflow into the feeder bottle via the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Dimock McIntyre, Robin Whitfield, Rex Alan Pike
  • Publication number: 20030121476
    Abstract: A device for use in increasing milk flow from a feeder bottle. The device includes a shaft adapted for entry into a correspondingly shaped hole in the feeder bottle. The device further includes a retention element for retaining the device in the hole and a channel, formed in a wall of the shaft. The shaft is movable such that it can, in a first position, seal the hole closed and, in another position (illustrated), permit airflow into the feeder bottle via the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: ROBERT DYMOCK MCINTYRE
    Inventors: Robert Dimock McIntyre, Robin Whitfield, Rex Alan Pike
  • Patent number: 6543632
    Abstract: A device (10) for use in increasing milk flow from a feeder bottle (B). The device (10) includes a shaft (11) adapted for entry into a correspondingly shaped hole (H) in the feeder bottle (B). The device further includes a retention element for retaining the device in the hole (H) and a channel element (13), formed in a wall of the shaft (11). The shaft element (11) is movable such that it can, in a first position, seal the hole (H) closed and, in another position (illustrated), permit airflow into the feeder bottle (B) via the channel element (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Dimock McIntyre, Robin Whitfield, Rex Alan Pike