IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,879,242
Granted Patent B2
US 11,879,242 · App. 17/406,739 · Granted Jan 23, 2024

Eductor assisted flush toilet

Inventors: Clayton C. Garrels (Kohler, WI); Jeremiah J. Rauwerdink (Sheboygan, WI); Randal S. Graskamp (Sheboygan, WI)
Assignee: Kohler Co.
E03D3/10E03D2201/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,879,242
App. No.
17/406,739
Granted
Jan 23, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An educator assembly for a toilet includes a suction reservoir, a flow driving device, a first nozzle, a second nozzle, and a discharge outlet. The suction reservoir is configured to store a supply of water. The flow driving device is configured to supply a flow of water to the eductor assembly and in fluid communication with the suction reservoir to create a suction port proximate to the flow driving device and the suction reservoir. The first nozzle is at the end of the flow driving device. The second nozzle is downstream of the suction port. The discharge outlet is coupled to a trapway of the toilet and configured to receive discharge from the second nozzle downstream of the suction port.

Claims (38)

1. An eductor assembly for a toilet, the eductor assembly comprising:

a suction reservoir configured to store a supply of water;

a flow driving device configured to supply a flow of water to the eductor assembly and in fluid communication with the suction reservoir to create a suction port proximate to the flow driving device and the suction reservoir;

a first nozzle at the end of the flow driving device;

a second nozzle with a central section connecting both a converging end section and a diverging end section downstream of the suction port; and

a discharge outlet coupled to a trapway of the toilet and configured to receive discharge from the second nozzle downstream of the suction port.

2. The eductor of claim 1 , wherein the suction reservoir is attached to a bowl of the toilet.

3. The eductor of claim 1 , wherein the suction reservoir is integrally formed with a bowl of the toilet.

4. The eductor of claim 1 , further comprising:

an input port of the flow driving device having a first diameter, wherein the first nozzle has a second diameter different from the first diameter, wherein the input port is connected to a line supply of water.

5. The eductor of claim 1 , wherein the second nozzle includes a converging section and a diverging section.

6. The eductor of claim 1 , wherein the second nozzle is integrally formed with the suction reservoir of the toilet.

7. The eductor of claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle outputs a first flow of water into the suction reservoir at a first speed and a first volumetric flow rate.

8. The eductor of claim 7 , wherein the discharge outlet outputs a second flow of water into the trapway at a second speed and a second volumetric flow rate.

9. The eductor of claim 8 , wherein the first speed is greater than the second speed.

10. The eductor of claim 8 , wherein the first volumetric flow rate is less than the second volumetric flow rate.

11. A toilet comprising:

a toilet bowl;

a trapway connected to the toilet bowl; and

an eductor assembly, the eductor assembly comprising:

a suction reservoir configured to store a supply of water;

a flow driving device configured to supply a flow of water to the eductor assembly and in fluid communication with the suction reservoir to create a suction port proximate to the flow driving device and the suction reservoir;

a first nozzle at the end of the flow driving device;

a second nozzle with a central section connecting both a converging end section and a diverging end section downstream of the suction port; and

a discharge outlet coupled to the trapway of the toilet and configured to receive discharge from the second nozzle downstream of the suction port.

12. The toilet of claim 11 , wherein the suction reservoir is attached to a bowl of the toilet.

13. The toilet of claim 11 , wherein the suction reservoir is integrally formed with a bowl of the toilet.

14. The toilet of claim 11 , further comprising:

an input port of the flow driving device having a first diameter, wherein the first nozzle has a second diameter different from the first diameter, wherein the input port is connected to a line supply of water.

15. The toilet of claim 11 , wherein the second nozzle includes a converging section and a diverging section.

16. The toilet of claim 11 , wherein the second nozzle is integrally formed with the suction reservoir of the toilet.

17. The toilet of claim 11 , wherein the first nozzle outputs a first flow of water into the suction reservoir at a first speed and a first volumetric flow rate.

18. The toilet of claim 17 , wherein the discharge outlet outputs a second flow of water into the trapway at a second speed and a second volumetric flow rate.

19. The toilet of claim 18 , wherein the first speed is greater than the second speed and wherein the first volumetric flow rate is less than the second volumetric flow rate.

20. An eductor assembly for a toilet, the eductor assembly comprising:

a suction reservoir configured to store a supply of water;

a flow driving device configured to supply a flow of water to the eductor assembly and in fluid communication with the suction reservoir to create a suction port proximate to the flow driving device and the suction reservoir; and

a second nozzle with a central section connecting both a converging end section and a diverging end section coupled to a trapway of the toilet and configured to receive discharge from the suction port.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2021
From: GARRELS, CLAYTON C.; RAUWERDINK, JEREMIAH J.; GRASKAMP, RANDAL S.
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 057466/0918 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63074816 · Sep 4, 2020
Related Publication 20220074182A1 · Mar 10, 2022