US 11,913,207 B2
Plumbing fixtures with insert-molded components
Mark Schibur, Sheboygan, WI (US); and Jeremiah Rauwerdink, Sheboygan, WI (US)
Assigned to Kohler Co., Kohler, WI (US)
Filed by Kohler Co., Kohler, WI (US)
Filed on Feb. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/107,802.
Application 18/107,802 is a continuation of application No. 17/395,961, filed on Aug. 6, 2021, granted, now 11,603,650.
Application 17/395,961 is a continuation of application No. 16/244,659, filed on Jan. 10, 2019, granted, now 11,118,338, issued on Sep. 24, 2021.
Application 16/244,659 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/985,597, filed on May 21, 2018, granted, now 11,047,122, issued on Jun. 29, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/509,588, filed on May 22, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0183963 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E03D 11/02 (2006.01); E03D 11/13 (2006.01); E03D 11/18 (2006.01); E03D 5/12 (2006.01); B32B 5/18 (2006.01); B28B 1/16 (2006.01); B28B 1/26 (2006.01); B32B 27/08 (2006.01); E03D 5/10 (2006.01)
CPC E03D 11/02 (2013.01) [E03D 11/13 (2013.01); B28B 1/16 (2013.01); B28B 1/261 (2013.01); B32B 5/18 (2013.01); B32B 27/08 (2013.01); E03D 5/10 (2013.01); E03D 5/12 (2013.01); E03D 11/18 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A toilet assembly comprising:
a flush engine formed from vitreous china, the flush engine comprising:
a bowl;
a sump at a lower portion of the bowl; and
a trapway extending from the sump;
and
a shell configured to conceal a portion of the flush engine formed from vitreous china, the shell comprising:
a first polymeric layer at least partially surrounding the flush engine;
a second polymeric layer provided on the first polymeric layer; and
a functional insert surrounded by at least the first polymeric layer and including an electrical component.
 
11. A toilet comprising:
a toilet base structure formed from vitreous china; and
a shell configured to conceal a portion of the base structure, the shell comprising:
a first polymeric layer at least partially surrounding a flush engine;
a second polymeric layer provided on the first polymeric layer; and
a functional insert surrounded by at least the first polymeric layer and including an electrical component.
 
20. A toilet comprising:
a shell configured to conceal a portion of a flush engine formed from vitreous china, wherein an inner surface of the flush engine is glazed and at least one outer surface of the flush engine in contact with the shell is unglazed, the shell comprising:
a first polymeric layer at least partially surrounding the flush engine, the first polymeric layer comprising a foam; and
a second polymeric layer disposed on the first polymeric layer, the second polymeric layer comprising resin;
wherein a cavity is formed in the shell for a functional insert including an electrical component.