Patents Examined by Cristi Tate-Sims
  • Patent number: 9468956
    Abstract: A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for treating at least one container for human excretions. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus comprises at least one cleaning chamber with at least one fluid device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the container. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus is configured to carry out at least one cleaning program, wherein, in the cleaning program, the container is emptied and the cleaning fluid is applied thereto. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus furthermore has at least one image detector. The image detector is configured to identify at least one property of the container. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus is configured to influence the cleaning program in accordance with the identified property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MEIKO Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marijan Simundic, Ingo Wiegand, Thomas Peukert
  • Patent number: 9469933
    Abstract: An appliance for washing clothes includes a detergent storage tank and a drum. Between the detergent storage tank and the drum is a diverter valve which has a detergent inlet connected to the detergent storage tank, an air vent connected to ambient air, and a detergent outlet. The diverter valve has an energized state wherein the detergent inlet is open and the air vent is closed, and a de-energized state wherein the detergent inlet is closed and the air vent is open. The appliance also has a flow meter connected to the diverter valve and the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Christoph J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9469927
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a tub having an open face and at least partially defining a treating chamber in which laundry may be received for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, a door for closing the open face of the tub, a perforated rotatable drum located within the tub and a method of operating such that the rotation of the drum is accelerated at a rate sufficient to cause an inrush of supplied liquid into the treating chamber from the tub via the perforations that locates a unit dose treating chemistry within the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon R. Hengesbach, Tremitchell Wright
  • Patent number: 9462927
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a nozzle assembly for a dishwasher capable of evenly spraying wash water in a wash tub and a dishwasher having the same. The dishwasher includes a sump to pump wash water, a supply pipe to which the wash water from the sump is supplied, and a nozzle assembly connected to the supply pipe. The nozzle assembly includes a lower rotor arm connected to the supply pipe, an upper rotor arm having a portion rotatably received in the lower rotor arm and having a first rotation center of an upper end thereof and a second rotation center of a lower end thereof positioned eccentrically from the first rotation center, and a nozzle rotatably connected to the upper rotor arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Wook Lee, Hyung Kwen Ham, Seung Oh Kim, Jung Yoon Hahm, Seung Gee Hong, Jea Won Lee
  • Patent number: 9462934
    Abstract: A washing treatment apparatus and a washing treatment method are provided. A washing treatment apparatus washes in a washing container an object to be washed including a tubular portion, and a main body portion to which one end portion of the tubular portion is connected. The washing treatment apparatus includes a washing solution supply unit which pressurizes and supplies a washing solution to the washing container, a penetration hole portion which is provided on the washing container and includes a penetration hole into which the tubular portion can be inserted, an outlet hole portion which is provided on the washing container and includes an outlet hole through which the washing solution supplied into the washing container flows out to adjust pressure of the washing solution in the washing container to predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yamamoto, Kohichi Tamura, Keizoh Nariyuki, Hiroshi Unemori
  • Patent number: 9460942
    Abstract: An interface station of a coating and developing treatment system has: a cleaning unit cleaning at least a rear surface of a wafer before the wafer is transferred into an exposure apparatus; an inspection unit inspecting the rear surface of the cleaned wafer whether the wafer is exposable, before it is transferred into the exposure apparatus; wafer transfer mechanisms including arms transferring the wafer between the units and a wafer transfer control part controlling operations of the wafer transfer mechanisms. When it is determined that a state of the wafer becomes an exposable state by re-cleaning in the cleaning unit as a result of the inspection, the wafer transfer control part controls the wafer transfer mechanisms to transfer the wafer again to the cleaning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakaharada, Yoji Sakata, Akira Miyata, Shinichi Hayashi, Suguru Enokida, Tsunenaga Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9452739
    Abstract: An on-board optical sensor cleaning device includes an on-board camera and a discharge port. The on-board camera is mounted on a vehicle. The on-board camera includes a lens. The discharge port discharges fluid toward the lens. The discharged fluid removes foreign material collected on the lens. The lens and the discharge port are relatively movable. At least one of the lens and the discharge port is movable between a cleaning position, where the discharge port is located proximal to an image capturing range center of the on-board camera, and a non-cleaning position, where the discharge port is located farther from the image capturing range center than the cleaning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kikuta, Yukihiro Matsushita, Keita Saito
  • Patent number: 9445706
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a spraying system having a distribution header and at least one aperture provided on the distribution header for spraying wash liquid into the treating chamber, and a recirculation system for recirculating liquid sprayed in the treating chamber to the spraying system. A light assembly is provided on the distribution header, and includes a light source that emits light to a light guide, which in turn distributes light to the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Kangas, Praveen Poojary, Michael S. Seeley, Blayne C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9435065
    Abstract: A wall-mount household appliance (100) includes a washing assembly with a washing tub (200) rotatably housing a rotatable drum (201). The household appliance is configured to be mounted to a wall (105), characterized by including a wall-mounting frame (215; 215?) configured to be fixed to the wall, and elastic coupling elements (235, 240) elastically coupling the washing tub (200) to the wall-mounting frame (215; 215?). The said elastic coupling elements (235, 240) are connected at a respective one end thereof to a cylindrical lateral wall of the washing tub (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Daniele Favaro, Maurizio Del Pos
  • Patent number: 9427132
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a spray assembly for a dishwasher appliance. The spray assembly includes a spray arm, a bearing, and a bracket for mounting the spray assembly to a dishwasher appliance. The spray arm is mounted for rotation relative to the bearing, and the bearing is mounted to the bracket. The spray assembly includes features for rotating the bearing relative to the bracket with the spray arm. Such rotation can assist with mounting of the bearing to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Whitney Gnadinger
  • Patent number: 9431866
    Abstract: A motor having an improved structure that prevents infiltration of moisture into the motor and a washing machine having the same. A washing machine includes a body, a tub disposed in the body, a drum rotatably disposed in the tub, and a motor including a stator coupled to a rear surface of the tub and a rotor rotatably disposed inside the stator. The stator includes a stator core, a first insulator and a second insulator to cover both ends of the stator core, and at least one moisture infiltration prevention member disposed between the first insulator and the second insulator to prevent infiltration of moisture into the stator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myung Bae Bang, Byung Ryel In, Woong Hwang
  • Patent number: 9421582
    Abstract: A centrifugal parts cleaner having a housing, a hub disposed within the housing rotatable about a vertical axis, a driver to rotate the hub, at least two radial arms extending from the hub and a cradle pivotally connected to the at least two radial arms configured to receive a porous container for retaining parts to be cleaned. As the hub is rotated, the cradle pivots away from the hub to retain the parts in the porous container while allowing fluid on the parts to be extracted by centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Amerikam, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Zolnierek, Daniel J. Lang
  • Patent number: 9410280
    Abstract: Washing machine appliances and method for operating washing machine appliances are provided. A washing machine appliance has a tub and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a chamber for receipt of articles for washing. A method includes flowing a first volume of liquid into the tub, the first volume of liquid at a temperature correlated to a treatment option selected by a user, and agitating the articles within the tub for a first period at a first rate. The method further includes flowing a second volume of liquid into the tub, the second volume of liquid at a temperature correlated to a temperature option selected by a user, and agitating the articles within the tub for a second period at a second rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Edward Hettinger
  • Patent number: 9392927
    Abstract: A table top washing machine comprises a tub (14) for accommodating articles to be cleaned, means for circulating water within the tub, and a waste water drain (51) comprising a drain port (52) for draining water from the tub and a fitting (54) for connecting a waste line (26) to said drain port. In accordance with the present invention the waste water drain comprises an angled connector (56) having a first leg (58) for connection to the drain port (52) and a second leg (60) comprising the fitting (54), wherein said first leg is adapted for rotatable connection to the drain port, and wherein said waste water drain further comprises means (69, 70, 72, 74, 76) for limiting rotation of the first leg such that orienting the second leg to point in an upward direction is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Mats Lundberg, Luigi Salerno
  • Patent number: 9393600
    Abstract: A device according to the present invention can be used for the hydraulic and mechanical connection of a distributor circuit of washing liquid of a trolley carrying objects to be washed to a feed circuit of a washing liquid for a washer machine for objects. The washer machine provides a washing chamber in which to position the trolley which has at least a lateral wall with respect to the direction of insertion of the trolley into the washing chamber. The device comprises a connection member of the distributor circuit, a corresponding delivery or coupling mouth of the feed circuit provided on said lateral wall and at least a connection bushing associable on one side to the connection member of the distributor circuit and on the other side to a corresponding delivery or coupling mouth of the feed circuit that faces inside a washing chamber of the washer machine, so as to determine the mechanical and hydraulic connection between feed circuit and distributor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: STEELCO SPA
    Inventor: Fabio Zardini
  • Patent number: 9394641
    Abstract: A washing machine includes an inner tub arranged in an outer tub and a rotatable wave wheel. As every 1 kg load is increased, the height difference h1 between the clothes and water satisfies the formula h1=(?D2h?4V1)/(K?D2), wherein D is the diameter of the inner tub, h is the height of the wave wheel, V1 is the volume of the wave wheel, and K is the optimal clothes load between the wave wheel and the inner tub within the wave wheel height. The clothes overturn periodically while rotating along with the wave wheel. The clothes move towards the center of the wave wheel along the wave wheel while moving upward, overturn outwards in a uniform wobble way after reaching the climax of the wave wheel and fall to the bottom of the inner tub along the inner tub wall, and move towards the center of the wave wheel again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: HAIER GROUP CORPORATION, QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hai Shu, Peishi Lv, Sheng Xu, Lin Yang, Baozhen Cheng, Qiuying Gao
  • Patent number: 9382682
    Abstract: A truss cage formed of two symmetrical halves is fastened together around a pile. Traction motors having caterpillar treads oriented for vertical movement are pressed against the pile by springs. A trolley ride along the tracks formed by the truss cage on the outside of the cage and carries one or more water jets or other cleaning tools. The trolley oscillates along the outside of the truss cage as the water jet sprays the pile with high pressure water. The traction motors carry the entire apparatus up and down the pile. The entire pile can thus be cleaned of marine debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Donald L. Doleshal
  • Patent number: 9375764
    Abstract: A single-lance reel assembly comprising a reel assembly received onto and disposed to rotate about an axle at a rotary union. The reel assembly further comprises a plurality of spokes separating a rim from a hub. Hoses, electrical conduits, conductors or other similar carrier hardware deployed within hollow lances spooled on the reel assembly may be supplied via the rotary union and by further hose connection structure deployed on the hub and/or the rim. Embodiments of the reel assembly are powered by either a direct or indirect drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Thomas Engineering Solutions & Consulting, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Thomas, William J. Thomas, III, Perry J. DeCuir, Jr., Kevin Jude Gerard Bollich
  • Patent number: 9375130
    Abstract: A spray control assembly for a dishwashing appliance is provided. Using concentric flow paths, the spray control assembly allows selection of e.g., the rotational direction for at least one spray arm assembly. The selection of flow through e.g., multiple different spray assemblies is also provided. The spray control assembly incorporates a diverter having multiple port selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joel Charles Boyer
  • Patent number: 9368378
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer cleaning apparatus comprising a first supporting unit, a movable unit having a first chamber, a second supporting unit having a second chamber, and a third supporting unit is provided. A micro processing chamber in which the semiconductor wafer is being processed is formed when the first chamber is brought in contact with the second chamber. Each of the supporting units is supported by a corresponding supporting plate, and each supporting plate is positioned and strengthened by a plurality of supporting bars on its peripheral. Such design will prevent the deformation of the supporting plates, reduce the particles generated by the friction of parts resulted from the opening or closure of the micro processing chamber, and allow the easy alignment of these units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Sophia Wen