Granted Patent B2

US 12,637,851 · App. 18/394,892 · Granted May 26, 2026

Inventors: William Kuru (Plymouth, WI); Clayton Garrels (Kohler, WI); Peter W. Denzin (Glenbeulah, WI)

Assignee: Kohler Co.

E03D9/05A47K13/307A47K17/00C11D7/04E03D1/36E03D5/10E03D9/005E03D9/031E03D9/032E03D9/033E03D9/038G08B5/36G08B21/182C11D2111/14C11D2111/24E03D2009/024E03D2009/028

Abstract

Claims (42)

1 . A chemical dispensing system for a toilet comprising:

a container coupled to the toilet and configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water;

a valve configured to control a flow of water from the toilet into the container; and

a control operatively coupled to the valve and configured to change an operation of the valve between a first setting and a second setting.

2 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the control includes a rotary knob rotatable between a first position corresponding to the first setting and a second position corresponding to the second setting.

3 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the first setting corresponds to a first concentration of the chemical compound and the second setting corresponds to a second concentration of the chemical compound.

4 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a body configured to cover a top of the container and including a first hole to receive the control.

5 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 4 , wherein the body includes a second hole for a reset button.

6 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an outlet line configured to fluidly connect the container to the toilet.

7 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 6 , wherein the outlet line is connected to a flush valve of the toilet.

8 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a diffusing tube having at least one opening and configured to diffuse water into the container to mix with the chemical compound.

9 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a connectivity indicator configured to indicate whether the chemical dispensing system is connected to a remote control device.

10 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cleaning indicator configured to indicate a chemical compound level.

11 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a valve setting indicator configured to indicate the first setting and the second setting.

12 . A toilet including a chemical dispensing system comprising:

a container coupled to the toilet and configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water;

a valve configured to control a flow of water from the toilet into the container;

a control operatively coupled to the valve and configured to change an operation of the valve between a first setting and a second setting; and

an outlet line configured to fluidly connect the container to a bowl, a seat, or a trap of the toilet.

13 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 12 , wherein the control includes a rotary knob rotatable between a first position corresponding to the first setting and a second position corresponding to the second setting.

14 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 12 , wherein the first setting corresponds to a first concentration of the chemical compound and the second setting corresponds to a second concentration of the chemical compound.

15 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 12 , further comprising:

a body configured to cover a top of the container and including a first hole to receive the control.

16 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the body includes a second hole for a reset button.

17 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 12 , further comprising:

a diffusing tube having at least one opening configured to diffuse water into the container to mix with the chemical compound.

18 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 11 , further comprising:

a connectivity indicator configured to indicate whether the chemical dispensing system is connected to a remote control device.

19 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 11 , further comprising:

a cleaning indicator configured to indicate a chemical compound level.

20 . The chemical dispensing system of claim 11 , further comprising:

a valve setting indicator configured to indicate the first setting and the second setting.

21 . A method for operation of a toilet including a chemical dispensing system, the method comprising:

mixing a chemical compound and water in a container of the toilet;

controlling a flow of water from the toilet into the container with a valve; and

adjusting an operation of the valve based on a multi-position control device.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (7)

References Cited (205)