Patents Examined by Joseph L. Perrin
  • Patent number: 11795596
    Abstract: A combination washer/dryer machine has a cabinet with a tub and drum positioned in the cabinet. The drum is rotatably positioned in the tub. A heater is secured to the tub. The heater includes a duct to provide heated air from the heater. The duct is coupled with the tub to supply heated air to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roy E. Masters
  • Patent number: 11788223
    Abstract: A front-loading washing machine includes a housing; a washing tub including one or more locking holes on a lateral side; and one or more lifters lifting up laundry based on spinning of the washing tub. The lifter includes a locking member passing through the locking hole, bent at an outside of the washing tub and extended in a spinning axis direction of the washing tub. The locking hole includes a first edge to which the locking member is locked to couple the lifter and the washing tub, and a second edge and a third edge adjacent to opposite ends of the first edge and surrounding the locking member to face with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongkwon Kim, Youngjin Cho, Sangyoung Kweon, Jonghun Sung, Jihoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11788225
    Abstract: A chemistry dispensing assembly for a laundry appliance includes a reservoir that dispenses a laundry chemistry to a treatment chamber. A mixing channel is positioned below the reservoir that receives the laundry chemistry dispensed from the reservoir. A fluid assembly delivers a fluid carrier through a flow path that includes the mixing channel. The mixing channel is defined between an underside of the reservoir and an upper surface of the mixing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Hartnett, James Jeffery, Bruno T. Ramasco, Guy M. Kazmierzak
  • Patent number: 11781259
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a first basket assembly including a first basket defining a first treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in a first wash environment. A balance ring forms an upper periphery of the first basket assembly and is operably coupled to the first basket. A second basket is selectively receivable within at least a portion of the first treating chamber. The second basket defines a second treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in a second wash environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joao Arthur Pazzin Curiel, Dailor Moreno Barberis Alves Lima, Fernando Raiss Martins, Mauro R. Ushizima, Eduardo Luis Violin
  • Patent number: 11771298
    Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus with a cleaning reservoir having a plurality of chambers, which are selectably fillable with cleaning fluid. The chambers of the multi-chamber reservoir are fluidly interconnectable, the apparatus further comprising a fluid distribution pump and a controller for sequentially controlling a fluid flow between the chambers during an ultrasonic cleaning cycle. Such a multi-chamber reservoir has the advantage of reducing the total volume of fluid required to clean vessels in the reservoir, since the cleaning process can be performed in a staged or sequential procedure, and the cleaning and/or rinsing fluid reused in each chamber, allowing the apparatus to be more compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: RealmThree Ltd
    Inventors: Matthew Stevens, Deborah Stevens
  • Patent number: 11773523
    Abstract: In particular, a method performed by one or more devices is disclosed, the method comprising: obtaining an intensity information item representative of a spectral image resulting from a soiling of a textile and/or from at least one part of a textile; determining at least one output variable dependent on the soiling of the textile and/or at least one property of the textile from the intensity information item, wherein the output variable is determined by employing an adaptive evaluation algorithm, in particular an artificial neural network, wherein parameters of the adaptive evaluation algorithm are calibrated based on a plurality of training cases; outputting or triggering outputting of the at least one output variable. Furthermore, a device and a system for performing the subject method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Peter Schmiedel, Christina Roeleke
  • Patent number: 11773526
    Abstract: A clothing treatment apparatus including a housing, a water-containing assembly and a sprinkling assembly that are arranged in the housing. The water-containing assembly has a water tank and a siphon member arranged in the water tank, the siphon member is connected to the sprinkling assembly through a first delivery pipeline, the siphon member is configured to suck out water in the water tank by siphoning, and the sprinkling assembly is configured to perform sprinkling washing on the clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yonghong Xu, Tao Huang, Bencai Huang, Xueli Zhao
  • Patent number: 11767627
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet and a drawer retractably provided in the cabinet. An accommodation unit is provided at the drawer and defines a space configured to receive washing water. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a guider. The guider includes a first body rotatably coupled to the cabinet, and a second body rotatably coupled to the first body and the drawer and configured to connect the first body to the drawer. A supply unit is connected to a water supply source. A water supply channel is provided along the guider and is configured to supply water between the supply unit and the accommodation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihong Lee, Kwangchul Heo
  • Patent number: 11759087
    Abstract: A dishwasher assembly may include a dishwasher rack including at least one drinkware row configured to hold drinkware along a length of the rack, a sprayer configured to provide at least one stream of liquid into the drinkware, and a paddle wheel assembly arranged between the drinkware row and the sprayer and including at least one paddle configured to rotate responsive to force of the at least one stream of liquid against the at least one paddle, such that during rotation the at least one paddle is configured to variably deflect at least a portion of the stream onto a plurality of portions of an interior surface of the drinkware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Feddema
  • Patent number: 11761140
    Abstract: Provided is a washing machine including a main body having a first inlet, a drum arranged inside the main body to accommodate laundry, and a door configured to open and close the first inlet, wherein the door includes a second inlet to allow laundry to be introduced into the drum while the first inlet closed, an auxiliary door configured to open and close the second inlet, and a restraining device configured to restrain the auxiliary door such that the auxiliary door remains locked onto the door, and the main body includes a pressing device arranged inside the main body and configured to press the restraining device such that the restraining device locks the auxiliary door and to release from the retraining device such that the restraining device unlocks the auxiliary door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seongwoo Yi, Jun-Young Choi, Minhyung Kim, Joonho Kim, Dong-Il Back, Byoungwoong An, Seung-Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 11753761
    Abstract: A washing machine and a control method therefor are provided. The washing machine includes a water tank, a washing tub, a pulsator, a drive motor, a coupling flange connected to the drive motor, a drive shaft that rotates the pulsator, a dewatering shaft that rotates the washing tub, a coupler configured to move up and down along the dewatering shaft and to be placed in a first position where the coupler engages the coupling flange and in a second position where the coupler is placed above the coupling flange, a solenoid module that moves the coupler, a coupler guide configured to be rotated by the coupler and fix the coupler in the second position, and a controller configured to control the solenoid module to move the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeonguk Lee, Manho Chun, Sechang Kim, Joonho Pyo, Taehyeon Sim
  • Patent number: 11739455
    Abstract: A combination washing and drying appliance includes a tub positioned within an outer cabinet. A rotating drum includes a perforated wall. The rotating drum is rotationally operable within the tub. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes a processing space within the rotating drum and an interstitial space defined between the tub and the rotating drum. An operable vent is selectively operable between a venting position and a closed position. The operable vent defines a passive flow of ambient air between the processing space and an area outside of the tub. The operable vent is operable to the closed position during a spin function of the rotating drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Kehl
  • Patent number: 11739456
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet and a drawer retractably provided in the cabinet. An accommodation unit is provided at the drawer and defines a space configured to receive washing water. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a guider. The guider includes a first body rotatably coupled to the cabinet, and a second body rotatably coupled to the first body and the drawer and configured to connect the first body to the drawer. A supply unit is connected to a water supply source. A water supply channel is provided along the guider and is configured to supply water between the supply unit and the accommodation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihong Lee, Kwangchul Heo
  • Patent number: 11739469
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a treating chamber and a dispenser fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. The dispenser has a single dose reservoir, a bulk dispensing reservoir, and an overflow fluidly coupling the single dose reservoir to the bulk dispensing reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Richard K. Gresens, Sayer J. Murphy, Anna C. Schelling
  • Patent number: 11730339
    Abstract: An article holder assembly for use with a dishwasher appliance includes a base portion adapted to fit onto an upper rack or a lower rack of the dishwasher appliance. The article holder assembly includes at least one arm member removably coupled to the base portion, a first attachment location for the at least one arm member, and a second attachment location for the at least one arm member. Further, the article holder assembly is adjustable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. Thus, in the engaged position, the arm member(s) is secured to the first attachment location such that the arm member(s) extends outward from the base portion to support one or more of the articles during a wash cycle of the dishwasher appliance. Moreover, in the disengaged position, the arm member(s) is secured to the second attachment location such that the arm member(s) rests against the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Tal Abraham Ohayon
  • Patent number: 11732393
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing displacement of a washing machine having a drum rotatable about an axis of rotation is disclosed. The washing machine comprises a chassis and a motor for rotation a drum. The drum is suspended from the chassis by a suspension. The suspension can comprise springs having six natural frequencies that can resonate at a rotational speed of the drum driven by the motor. The suspension system can be tuned such that resonant frequencies can be varied based upon rotational speed of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Cornoration
    Inventor: Christopher Borlin
  • Patent number: 11725323
    Abstract: A method for detecting entrapment of an article between a laundry machine door and bellows, comprising: identifying a maximum startup motor torque value of the drum motor while accelerating the drum from a stop to a target rotation speed; identifying a maximum operating motor torque value while rotating the drum at the target rotation speed; comparing a difference between the maximum startup motor torque value and the maximum operating motor torque value to a predetermined torque difference value; and terminating operation if the difference exceeds the predetermined torque difference value. A laundry washing machine configured to perform the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Palmeira, Brian Hobbs, Murilo Costa
  • Patent number: 11725331
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that includes a pump. A drum is disposed within the cabinet and a tub is operably coupled to the drum and is disposed proximate to the cabinet. A water recirculation assembly is operably coupled to the pump. The water recirculation assembly includes a first tube that is operably coupled to the pump within the cabinet, a second tube that is fluidly coupled to the first tube, and a gap that is defined between the first tube and the second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11723509
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for dispensing a cleaning agent into a dishwasher, having a cover element for closing and releasing at least one opening of a store for storing the cleaning agent and/or an operating agent, at least one actuating element being provided which has an actuation path (W) for opening and/or fixing the cover element so that an accidental opening or unlocking is effectively prevented. According to the disclosure this is achieved in that the actuation path (W) is oriented away from the store and transversely to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SANHUA AWECO Appliance Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Zuo Wang, Erwin Wunn, Ulrich Boettger, August Lanz
  • Patent number: 11718950
    Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus includes a case with a treatment chamber for holding clothes, a steam unit supplying steam to the treatment chamber, a blowing unit drawing in air from the inside of the treatment chamber, a heat pump unit heating the air drawn in by the blowing unit and discharging the heated air to the inside of the treatment camber, and a control unit controlling the steam unit, the blowing unit, and the heat pump unit, wherein when the heat pump unit is driven after the steam unit is driven, the control unit supplies water to the steam unit after the driving of the heat pump unit terminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wansik Nam, Donghyun Kim, Jinseong Lee