Kohler Company

John A Fiumefreddo

Randy O Mesun

Jeffrey F Tempas

Norman J Jaeckels

Anton J Kolar

Michael P Gray

Michael J Kurth

Isadore Balan

Mary J Reid

Thomas A Bonnell

Alan D Bengtson

Kenneth J Sieth

John M Bloemer

Michael D Steinhardt

Weldon R Kuhn

Robert C Giose

A toilet has a pump to deliver selected quantities of water from a reservoir to a toilet bowl so as to effect a water savings. In one aspect, both the motor and pump are positioned in the reservoir to deliver water to both the rim and bowl portions. In another aspect, there are conduits connected between the basin, the rim and controls which are provided to deliver water to the rim and bowl either independently, simultaneously or in selective sequences. In alternative embodiments, a refill tube is connected to an intake conduit and the rim of the bowl to effect a water seal, a fail safe valve is connected to the supply conduit, a receptacle with a cleaning fluid and a pump is connected to the bowl and there are at least two receptacles for receiving waste.

Pump operated plumbing fixture

A plumbing nozzle is disclosed that discharges a hollow cylinder of water. In a preferred form, the cylinder flows along a horizontal axis as the water is discharged from the nozzle. The nozzle has a core member with an angled wall surface which directs water against an inner wall surface of the nozzle. The inner wall encloses upon itself and has an outwardly diverging wall surface. The nozzle is particularly useful in conjunction with a bathing fixture with recirculating water.

Plumbing nozzle

A fluid valve has a housing formed by first and second halves which combine at mating surfaces to form a cavity with an inlet in the first half and an outlet in the second half. The mating surface of each half includes a notch extending between an outer edge of mating surface and the cavity, and includes an annular recess around the cavity. A pad is formed on each mating surface between the cavity and the annular recess, and has a groove that forms a bushing when the first and second units are connected. A butterfly valve member is located within the cavity and is mounted on a valve stem. The valve stem has an end that rides in the bushing and a portion that passes through the notches in the housing halves. An annular seal fits within the recesses to prevent fluid leakage between the two housing halves and also seals around the valve stem portion. In addition the butterfly valve member engages the seal in a closed state of the valve.

Motor operated butterfly valve with a multi-function seal

A whirlpool tub has a first set of nozzles located to direct water against the back of a bather and a second set of nozzles to direct water against the bather's neck. A controller has different modes of operation in which water is emitted by either one or both sets of nozzles. Separate mechanisms are provided to direct a pulse of water sequentially through different nozzles in each set. This action produces a progression of pulsating water jets that create a massaging effect on the bather's skin. A pillow is placed about the second set of nozzles. A sensor is provided to detect when the pillow is removed and disable water flow through the second set of nozzles.

Hydro-massage tub control system

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, WI, United States of America

John A Fiumefreddo