Hydrophobic field

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12458185-B2
Application number	US-202217730926-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 27, 2022
Priority date	May 5, 2021
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

An apparatus for generation and application of a hydrophobic effect in a bathroom fixture including an electrostatic generator, a liquid shielded object, and a bowl or basin. The electrostatic generator is configured to generate an electrostatic field configured to repel liquid. The liquid shielded object is positioned in relationship to the electrostatic generator. The bowl or basin is configured to collected liquid repelled away from the liquid shielded object by the electrostatic field.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for generation and application of a hydrophobic effect at a bathroom fixture, the apparatus comprising:
an electrostatic generator configured to generate an electrostatic field configured to repel liquid; a liquid shielded object positioned in relationship to the electrostatic generator; and a bowl or basin configured to collected liquid repelled away from the liquid shielded object by the electrostatic field.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrostatic generator is an active generator including a power source.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the electrostatic generator includes an electrostatic plate connected to the power source.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrostatic generator is a passive generator.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the electrostatic generator includes one or more agitators that move in a predetermined pattern to generate the electrostatic field.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a switch for activating or deactivating the electrostatic generator.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a sensor configured to detect a presence of a user, wherein the electrostatic generator is configured to generate the electrostatic field in response to the presence of the user.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a toilet seat including the electrostatic generator.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bathroom fixture comprises a hand dryer including the electrostatic generator.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bathroom fixture comprises a sink, a urinal or a bidet.

11 . A toilet comprising:
an apparatus for generation and application of a hydrophobic effect at a bathroom fixture, the apparatus comprising: an electrostatic generator configured to generate an electrostatic field configured to repel liquid; a liquid shielded object positioned in relationship to the electrostatic generator; and a bowl or basin configured to collected liquid repelled away from the liquid shielded object by the electrostatic field.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the electrostatic generator is an active generator including a power source.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the electrostatic generator includes an electrostatic plate connected to the power source.

14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the electrostatic generator is a passive generator.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the electrostatic generator includes one or more agitators that move in a predetermined pattern to generate the electrostatic field.

16 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a switch for activating or deactivating the electrostatic generator.

17 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a sensor configured to detect a presence of a user, wherein the electrostatic generator is configured to generate the electrostatic field in response to the presence of the user.

18 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a toilet seat including the electrostatic generator.

19 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bathroom fixture comprises a hand dryer including the electrostatic generator.

20 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bathroom fixture comprises a sink, a urinal or a bidet.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Champagne Jeffrey
• Kwacz Jason

Classifications

• A47K13/30 Primary

  Seats having provisions for heating, deodorising or the like {, e.g. ventilating, noise-damping or cleaning devices} · CPC title

• B03C9/00

  Electrostatic separation not provided for in any single one of the other main groups of this subclass · CPC title

• H03K17/95

  using a magnetic detector · CPC title

• E03D9/00

  Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories (hand tools for cleaning the toilet bowl A47K11/10; seats or covers for closets A47K13/00; body supports, other than seats for closets A47K17/02; devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes E03C1/10 ){; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells (cleaning, disinfecting or deodorising the seat A47K13/30)} · CPC title

• H05F7/00

  Use of naturally-occurring electricity, {e.g. lightning or static electricity} · CPC title