Patents Examined by Rita R. Patel
  • Patent number: 7478546
    Abstract: Drum type washing machine including a tub of plastic having a wall for holding washing water therein and mounting a driving part thereon, a drum rotatably arranged inside of the tub, a shaft passed through the tub and connected to the drum for transmission of a driving power from a motor to the drum, at least one bearing for supporting the shaft, a bearing housing having a sleeve form of bearing supporting part, and a stator fastening part extended in a radial direction from the bearing supporting part, wherein both of the bearing supporting part and the stator fastening part are inserted in a tub rear wall, while stator fastening holes in the stator fastening part are exposed, a rotor engaged to a rear end part of the shaft to form the motor together with the stator, and the stator mounted on the stator fastening part of the bearing housing with fastening members on an inner side of the rotor to form the motor together with the rotor, wherein the stator includes an annular helical type core having multiple l
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gon Kim, Chi Wan Hur, Yu Beom Kang, Sang Man Je, Kang Mo Choi, Jae Kyum Kim, Ho Cheol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7475574
    Abstract: A washing machine comprises a tank for loading washing fluid and items to be washed and a control adapted to carry out a predetermined washing program. The washing machine comprises a first electrode electrically insulated from the washing fluid and a sensor connected to the first electrode for detecting a value of a sensor formed by the first electrode and by the washing fluid acting as a second electrode, the value being fed to the control in order to control and/or adjust the washing program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Dieter Grimm, Robert Huettner
  • Patent number: 7475444
    Abstract: A washing machine and a method of controlling the same that is capable of determining whether laundry is a single load or a multiple load based on detected value of eccentricity or detected laundry amount and changing revolutions per minute of a motor or the number of eccentricity detections based on the determined load amount such that different spin-drying actions are performed. The washing machine comprises an eccentricity detecting unit for detecting eccentricity of laundry received in a drum, a motor driving unit for driving a motor such that the drum is rotated, and a microprocessor for determining whether the laundry is a single load or a multiple load based on the value of eccentricity detected by the eccentricity detecting unit and changing revolutions per minute of the motor or the number of eccentricity detections of the eccentricity detecting unit based on the initially determined load amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Il Hyeok Yim, Ho Cheol Kwon, Hack Chai Song, Beon Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 7468105
    Abstract: An antimicrobial cleaning composition and methods for cleaning semiconductor substrates, particularly after chemical mechanical planarization or polishing, are provided. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition combines a solvent, a cleaning agent such as a hydroxycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, and at least one antimicrobial agent resulting in a cleaning composition in which microbial growth is inhibited. Examples of suitable antimicrobial agents include a benzoic acid or salt such as potassium or ammonium benzoate, and sorbic acid or salt such as potassium sorbate. The composition is useful for cleaning a wafer and particularly for removing residual particles after a conductive layer has been planarized to a dielectric layer under the conductive layer in a chemical mechanical planarization of a semiconductor wafer with abrasive slurry particles, particularly after a CMP of copper or aluminum films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Andreas
  • Patent number: 7467634
    Abstract: The invention is an automatic no contact machine for cleaning and drying tips, air caps, retainers and cups on spray apparatus when changing liquid or when the apparatus will be idle, or to remove build up of paint on applicators that cause spits and drips on surfaces and electrostatic arcing to spray apparatus while containing and recovering cleaning effluents to an environmental standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventors: Philip Jessup, James Doyle
  • Patent number: 7467636
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a pump assembly having a multi-stage filtering arrangement which functions to trap soil particles contained in a washing fluid to reduce the number of fresh water fills required to perform a washing operation. All of the washing fluid is initially directed over a filter plate. A first portion of the washing fluid passes the filter plate into a pumping chamber, while a second, soil laden portion, enters a first filter chamber. The second portion is then directed through a medium filter into the intake chamber. The filtered washing fluid is pumped through a conduit to wash arms that spray the washing fluid onto kitchenware. The conduit includes a sampling port which directs a portion of the washing fluid to a second filtering compartment having a fine mesh screen. At the end of the washing operation, the washing water, along with the soil is expelled from the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 7467638
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for washing a product with a fluid. The tank may receive a plurality of product, such as fruits and vegetables, into the fluid and be configured to receive a moving conveyor, having a first end, a second end, a first section, and a second section. The conveyor may have a plurality of protruding panels being structured and arranged on the conveyor to push the product through the fluid in the tank and to lift the product from the fluid in the tank to the second end of the conveyor. At least one first nozzle may be positioned substantially above the conveyor and configured to deliver the fluid onto the product as the product is pushed by the plurality of panels. The fluid delivered from the at least one first nozzle may rotate the product in the fluid in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Fresh Express, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7461664
    Abstract: The plug is proposed for insertion into a hollow core of a roller cover to keep water from traveling through the hollow core, the plug comprising a body sized and configured to be received in the hollow core, and the body incorporating a peripheral lip thereon to keep the plug from being pushed into the hollow core by water pressure applied thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Collin Budron
  • Patent number: 7461663
    Abstract: The cleaning apparatus of the invention includes first and second cleaning tanks cleaning a mask with a predetermined cleaning solution, a vacuum evaporator vacuum-distilling the cleaning solution of the first and second cleaning tanks, a first cooler cooling the vacuum-distilled cleaning solution to room temperature, a first return pipe returning the cleaning solution cooled by the first cooler to the second cleaning tank, first and second rinse tanks rinsing the mask with a predetermined rinse solution, an atmospheric evaporator distilling the rinse solution of the first and second rinse tanks at atmospheric pressure, a second cooler cooling the rinse solution distilled at atmospheric pressure to room temperature, and a second return pipe returning the rinse solution cooled by the second cooler to the second rinse tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Giga Tech Inc., Ohkawa & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Kinomura, Teruo Hiraoka, Kojiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 7455067
    Abstract: A portable food tray pre-wash and water recycling apparatus and method for pre-washing reusable food trays prior to placement in a separate cleaning and sanitizing unit that significantly reduces water wasted in kitchen and scullery areas. The apparatus includes a portable cabinet having a slot in a top end for inserting a food tray, laterally opposed spray nozzles beneath the slot that spray both sides of the tray, laterally opposed rotating brushes beneath the nozzles that scrub the tray, a tray support and brush comb member that supports the tray in a vertical position and removes particles from the brushes, a series of removable incrementally smaller gauge filters vertically spaced beneath the brushes that slide in from one side to filter the water, a water reservoir beneath the filters, a heating unit to heat and disinfect the filtered water, and a pump that recycles heated water back to the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventor: Randall D. Cotton
  • Patent number: 7454926
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a rotary drum for accommodating therein laundry, the rotary drum having a horizontal or slanted rotational axis; a water tub supported in a vibratable manner in a washing machine main body, the rotary drum being installed in the water tub in a rotatable manner; a motor for driving the rotary drum; an input setting unit for setting an operation of the washing machine; a control unit for controlling the motor and the operation of the washing machine set by the input setting unit, the control unit including a microcomputer; and a displacement detection unit for detecting a displacement of the water tub. The displacement detection unit includes an excitation coil, at least two detection coils having an axis coaxially aligned with the excitation coil and a core which can move along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Komatsu, Toyotsugu Matsukura, Shigeru Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7451769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus with a filter device. The filter device contains a ceramic filter equipped with a heating device. The heating device serves for thermal sterilisation of the ceramic filter, by which allergenic substances are destroyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Herbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 7451772
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for ultrasonically cleaning objects is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing and a cleaning chamber within the housing. The apparatus also includes drainer that can be moved between a cleaning position in a lower region of the apparatus and a draining position in an upper region of the apparatus. The drainer is configured to engage at least a portion of the upper region of the housing to thereby position the drainer in the draining position. The apparatus also includes a transducer for transmitting ultrasonic energy into the cleaning chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Gilwil LLC
    Inventors: Nicole Gilbert, Karen Williams
  • Patent number: 7451770
    Abstract: A cleaning device for an electrical hair removing apparatus is capable of being stored in a compact profile. The apparatus has an operator head at its top, and is formed on its bottom with an electric terminal for receiving an external signal that controls the apparatus. The cleaning device includes a basin for receiving the operator head of the apparatus and also includes a control circuit providing the external signal. The device has a tank storing a volume of a cleaning liquid, and a circulator configured to supply the cleaning liquid into the basin from the tank for cleaning the operator head. A stand is provided on the device to hold the apparatus upside down with the operator head disposed within the basin. The stand is formed at its top end with a header carrying contacts which are connected to the terminal on the bottom of the apparatus. The stand is composed of a fixed support and a movable arm which extends from the support and is formed at its top with the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Saito, Hiroyuki Kameoka, Jyuzaemon Iwasaki, Fumio Taniguchi, Yasuo Ibuki, Hiroshi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 7444840
    Abstract: A garment refreshing appliance comprising: an enclosure for receiving at least one garment to be refreshed, a support positioned in said enclosure to receive and suspend said garment in said enclosure, an air moving device arranged to circulate a flow of air within said enclosure, and an air duct associated with said air moving device to direct said circulating flow of air within said enclosure, said air duct having a plurality of flow directing vanes associated therewith to direct said recirculating flow of air against said garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Floyd G. Jackson, James C. Perso, Robert J. Pinkowski, Viktor N. Kopyrin
  • Patent number: 7444841
    Abstract: Drum type washing machine including a tub of plastic having a wall for holding washing water therein and mounting a driving part thereon, a drum rotatably arranged inside of the tub, a shaft passed through the tub and connected to the drum for transmission of a driving power from a motor to the drum, at least one bearing for supporting the shaft, a bearing housing having a sleeve form of bearing supporting part, and a stator fastening part extended in a radial direction from the bearing supporting part, wherein both of the bearing supporting part and the stator fastening part are inserted in a tub rear wall, while stator fastening holes in the stator fastening part are exposed, a rotor engaged to a rear end part of the shaft to form the motor together with the stator, and the stator mounted on the stator fastening part of the bearing housing with fastening members on an inner side of the rotor to form the motor together with the rotor, wherein the stator includes an annular helical type core having multiple l
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gon Kim, Chi Wan Hur, Yu Beom Kang, Sang Man Je, Kang Mo Choi, Jae Kyum Kim, Ho Cheol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7445014
    Abstract: A dishwasher and dryer has a washing vessel (2) accommodating a basket carrying tableware, a water feed path feeding water or hot water for washing and rinsing into the washing vessel (2) through an operation of a water feed valve, a circulating path for spraying feed water in the washing vessel from a nozzle to a dish, and a control circuit (12) controlling a washing step and a rinsing step. In such a dishwasher and dryer, a hard water generating vessel (23) is arranged to carry out a washing step using hard water as feed water in a washing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuaki Sakane, Tatsumi Tomibayashi, Hiroyoshi Inoue, Kazushi Furukawa, Yasuhiro Sakoda
  • Patent number: 7441421
    Abstract: A motor for a washing machine has a stator secured to one side of a tub which holds washing water and a rotor disposed on an outer side of the stator. The stator includes a core and an insulator that holds the core, and the insulator has a fastening part with a fastening hole formed on the insulator. A fastener fastens the stator to the one side of the tub using the fastening hole formed on the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gon Kim, Chi Wan Hur, Yu Beom Kang, Sang Man Je, Kang Mo Choi, Jae Kyum Kim, Ho Cheol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7431774
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a dishwasher is provided. The filter assembly includes a water circulator for supplying washing and rinsing water under pressure to the filter assembly, and at least one cleaning nozzle positioned at a predetermined position adjacent an outer circumference of the filter assembly. The at least one cleaning nozzle is provided in communication with the water circulator, and prevents excessive accumulation of waste particles in the filter assembly by periodically spraying pressurized water into the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 7431037
    Abstract: A method for washing and drying items in a dishwasher and a dishwasher are provided. After the door of the dishwasher has been closed, a washing program and then a drying program are executed. In response to both an interruption of the drying program resulting in the dishwasher no longer running its drying program and a thereafter following restoration of execution of the drying program, a parameter value is measured and the drying program is resumed if there is no predetermined deviation from a nominal value and, on the other hand, a fresh cycle of a washing program and a drying program is initiated in the event of a predetermined deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Hering, Michael Rosenbauer