IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,873,634
Granted Patent B2
US 11,873,634 · App. 17/212,814 · Granted Jan 16, 2024

Clean toilet and accessories

Inventors: William Kuru (Plymouth, WI); Clayton Garrels (Kohler, WI); Peter W. Denzin (Glenbeulah, WI)
Assignee: Kohler Co.
E03D9/05A47K13/307A47K17/00C11D7/04C11D11/0023C11D11/0052E03D1/36E03D5/10E03D9/005E03D9/031E03D9/032E03D9/033E03D9/038G08B5/36G08B21/182E03D2009/024E03D2009/028
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,873,634
App. No.
17/212,814
Granted
Jan 16, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A chemical dispensing system for a toilet that includes a container configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a bracket coupled to the container; a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket and is configured to extend through a hole in an inside of the sidewall of the toilet; and a fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head is configured to contact an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion.

Claims (46)

1. A chemical dispensing system for a toilet, the chemical dispensing system comprising:

a container configured to contain a chemical compound;

an inlet line that fluidly connects a fill valve of the toilet and an inlet of the container;

a valve assembly configured to control a flow of water into the container from the inlet line and the fill valve, wherein the chemical compound mixes with water in the container to form a cleaning compound;

an outlet line that fluidly connects the container to a flush valve of the toilet to provide the cleaning compound to the toilet; and

a shroud configured to receive the container and at least partially conceal the fill valve and the flush valve.

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

a reservoir defined by the container by a plurality of walls and a bottom, wherein the reservoir comprises an open top.

3. The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly includes a plurality of settings associated with the flow of water into the container.

4. The chemical dispensing system of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of settings includes a first setting for a first concentration of the cleaning compound and a second setting for a second concentration of the cleaning compound.

5. The chemical dispensing system of claim 3 , further comprising:

a multi-position control coupled to the valve assembly and configured to select one of the plurality of settings.

6. The chemical dispensing system of claim 5 , wherein the multi-position control includes a knob.

7. The chemical dispensing system of claim 5 , further comprising:

at least one indicator configured to inform a user of the selected one of the plurality of settings.

8. The chemical dispensing system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one indicator indicates a concentration of the cleaning compound.

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

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

10. The chemical dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the chemical compound includes at least one pellet, at least one tablet, at least one disc, or at least one puck.

11. A chemical dispensing system comprising:

a container configured to contain a chemical compound;

an inlet line that fluidly connects a fill valve for and an inlet of the container;

a valve assembly configured to control a flow of water into the container from the inlet line and the fill valve, wherein the chemical compound mixes with water in the container to form a cleaning compound;

an outlet line that fluidly connects the container to a flush valve to provide the cleaning compound in a flush cycle to a toilet;

and

a shroud configured to receive the container and at least partially conceal the fill valve or the flush valve.

12. A toilet comprising:

a fill valve configured to selectively fill a tank;

a flush valve configured at least partially empty the tank in a flush cycle; and

a chemical dispensing system comprising:

a container configured to contain a chemical compound that removes scale including one or more mineral deposits;

an inlet line that fluidly connects the fill valve of the toilet and an inlet of the container;

a valve assembly configured to control a flow of water into the container from the inlet line and the fill valve, wherein the chemical compound mixes with water in the container to form a cleaning compound;

an outlet line that fluidly connects the container to the flush valve of the toilet to provide the cleaning compound to the toilet to remove scale including one or more mineral deposits; and

a shroud configured to receive the container and at least partially conceal the fill valve or the flush valve.

13. The toilet of claim 12 , further comprising:

a flush handle coupled to the flush valve.

14. The toilet of claim 12 , wherein the valve assembly includes a plurality of settings associated with the flow of water into the container.

15. The toilet of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of settings includes a first setting having a first concentration of the cleaning compound and a second setting having a second concentration of the cleaning compound.

16. The toilet of claim 12 , wherein the chemical dispensing system further comprises:

a multi-position control coupled to the valve assembly and configured to select one of the plurality of settings.

17. The toilet of claim 12 , wherein the chemical dispensing system further comprises:

at least one indicator configured to inform a user of the selected one of the plurality of settings.

18. The toilet of claim 17 , wherein the at least one indicator indicates a concentration of the cleaning compound.

19. The toilet of claim 12 , wherein the chemical dispensing system further comprises:

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

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT FOR CONTINUATION OF PATENT APPLICATION NO. 16/751,760 Recorded May 12, 2021
From: KURU, WILLIAM; GARRELS, CLAYTON; DENZIN, PETER W.
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 056225/0843 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 16751760 · Jan 24, 2020
Continuation 15994713 · May 31, 2018
Continuation In Part 15900933 · Feb 21, 2018
Continuation PCTUS2016048419 · Aug 24, 2016
Provisional Application 62209198 · Aug 24, 2015
Related Publication 20210207354A1 · Jul 8, 2021
Cited By (3)
US 1,117,621 US 12,559,924 US 12,637,851