Patents Examined by Rita R. Patel
  • Patent number: 7422024
    Abstract: An ultrasonic shower cleaning apparatus is disclosed which is capable of efficiently cleaning both surfaces of an article and configured to have a reduced size enabling an installation space thereof to be decreased. A pair of ultrasonic shower cleaning mechanisms each include a nozzle, a disc-shaped ultrasonic transducer arranged so as to face a backward end of the nozzle and an inlet port for a cleaning liquid formed opposite to a side surface of the nozzle. The ultrasonic shower cleaning mechanisms are integrally incorporated in one casing in such a manner that axes of the nozzles cross each other at a predetermined angle. The casing is provided with one inlet branch port connected to the inlet ports of the ultrasonic shower cleaning mechanisms. The casing may have a groove formed therein in which an edge of the article arranged between the two nozzles can be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Kaijo Corporation
    Inventors: Seigo Takahashi, Junpei Ohkawara, Kazunari Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7422021
    Abstract: A method for cleaning an oil strainer in an oil pan of an internal combustion engine from which substantially all lubricant has been drained, the method comprising connecting a first conduit to said oil pan; introducing a cleaning fluid into said oil pan; connecting a second conduit to an opening on said engine; creating a circuit by a pressure pump wherein said cleaning fluid moves from said oil pan, through said opening, through said oil strainer and back into said oil pan; and evacuating the cleaning fluid from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Dwight Leaphart
  • Patent number: 7418971
    Abstract: A vending machine and a hose controller system for vending machines wherein the dispenser hose is axially and torsionally controlled to facilitate slight twisting, thereby minimizing applicator tool resistance, and making it easier for users to operate the remote vending tool on the hose distal end. The elongated reinforced applicator hose terminates at the controller, which bridges the hose between the outdoors and the cabinet interior. The controller has an angulated bracket mounted within the vending machine cabinet. A collar assembly secured on the bracket top above a hose feed-through orifice has a terminator, a bushing, and a cooperating yoke that are coaxially secured. The terminator anchors the hose end and is seated within the yoke. A rigid lug projects radially from the yoke. A rigid restrictor surmounts the collar assembly and limits rotation by contact with the lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fragra*matics Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James Larry Ingram
  • Patent number: 7418754
    Abstract: A system for controlling a door of a drum type washing machine is provided. This system allows the door to be opened only if there is no water in the washing tub, or if the water level in the tub is very low, so as to prevent water in the tub from cascading out of the washing machine when the door is opened. A water level in the washing tub is sensed, and the sensed water level is compared to a reference water level. The door is locked or unlocked based on the comparison of the sensed water level and the reference water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gon Kim, Yu Beom Kang, Sang Man Je
  • Patent number: 7418843
    Abstract: A washing machine has a tub that may be made of plastic. A drum is rotatably installed in the tub. A shaft may pass through the tub and connect to the drum for transmission of a driving power from a motor to the drum. The washing machine has a bearing supporting part and a stator fastening part extended in a radial direction from the bearing supporting part, where the tub has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the bearing supporting part and the stator fastening part are disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 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: 7416611
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cleaning or processing a workpiece, a process gas is brought into contact with the workpiece by diffusion through a heated liquid layer on the workpiece, and by bulk transport achieved by entraining the gas in a liquid stream, spray or jet impinging on the workpiece. The process gas, which may be ozone, is entrained in the liquid via entrainment nozzles. Use of entrainment and diffusion together increases the amount of gas available for reaction at the workpiece surface, increases the reaction rate, and decreases required process times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Bergman
  • Patent number: 7412980
    Abstract: A washing machine for glass lenses (11) or other similar items of the type including a conveyor (1) has a bearing surface (10) for moving the lenses through a washing chamber (12) made of a succession of washing means (21). The traction force transmitted to the aforementioned bearing surface (10) is carried out by two chains (13) with endless links (14), located on the both sides of the aforementioned bearing surface (10), each chain (13) being joined at the longitudinal side corresponding to the aforementioned bearing surface (10) and is stretched tight between two driving gears, of axis parallel to the plane of the aforementioned bearing surface and perpendicular to the direction of the displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventors: Jean Gehrig, Denis Gehrig
  • Patent number: 7412982
    Abstract: A cleaning probe capable of providing uniform cleaning to an entire wafer while not damaging the edge portion of the wafer, and a megasonic cleaning apparatus having the cleaning probe are provided. The cleaning probe comprises a front portion located near the center of the wafer, a rear portion connected to a piezoelectric transducer, and a protrusion located between the rear portion and the front portion, located on an edge portion of the wafer, and having a larger cross section width than the front portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sun-Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 7409960
    Abstract: The invention aims at improving a cleaning fluid container (3) for a cleaning device (RV) for personal needs, in particular for cleaning a shaving head (SK) of a dry shaving apparatus (R), with a housing (20), with an inlet port (15) provided on the housing (20) to admit cleaning fluid (11), with an outlet port (14) equally provided on the housing (20) to discharge the cleaning fluid (11), and with a filter element (F), said filter element (F) being provided with filter pores for filtering out solid particles, particularly hair particles, and being arranged in a flow area between the inlet port (15) and the outlet port (14), in a manner enabling the pump capacity to be significantly reduced or the service life of a cartridge (K) to be substantially increased. This is accomplished in that the filter element (F) has pores of a size causing part of the particles to penetrate the filter element (F) according to their size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Hoser, Daniel Dietzel
  • Patent number: 7406973
    Abstract: An assembly structured to clean the head portion of a stethoscope comprising a housing including a path of travel along which the head portion passes during cleaning. A supply of cleaning fluid is associated with a dispensing assembly which is cooperatively disposed relative to an activating assembly. The activating assembly is manually operated due to moveable engagement with the head portion as it travels along the path of travel. The activating assembly is thereby operatively positioned to activate the dispenser assembly when engaged by the head portion as it passes along the path of travel. The dispensing assembly delivers the cleaning fluid to an applicator assembly which distributes the cleaning fluid to the head portion and facilitates the cleaning thereof and removal of excess cleaning fluid there from.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Seedlings Life Science Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Perlman, James M. Sellers, Keith Rubin, Mathew Cardinali, Michael R. Cole, Sidney Perlman
  • Patent number: 7404225
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for displaying usage guidelines of a washing machine, and more particularly, to a method and device for displaying usage guidelines of a washing machine wherein a user can be guided in all the washing processes by the respective stages. The present invention is characterized in that usages of the washing machine by the respective stages are provided to an inexperienced person who does not know well the usages, that actual processes are performed when the user follows the provided instructions, and that the user can personally check and troubleshoot simple problems which may occur when utilizing the washing machine. According to the present invention, there is an additional advantage in that various functions and usages of the washing machine can be more conveniently and efficiently utilized with the aid of a wash help.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Jin Jo, So Young Cho
  • Patent number: 7398660
    Abstract: A dyeing apparatus and method for continuous dyeing of a fabric article with dye, the apparatus including: (a) a dyeing vessel for containing a high-density liquid; (b) a heating mechanism, thermally associated with the dyeing vessel, for heating a dye fixation zone within the vessel to a temperature above 70° C.; (c) a continuous transport mechanism for continuously transporting the fabric article, through a dye impregnation chamber, and through the dye fixation zone of the dyeing vessel, and (d) a dye-dispensing mechanism for delivering a dye liquor within the dye impregnation chamber, so as to impregnate with the dye, the fabric article passing through the chamber, and wherein the dyeing vessel is dimensioned and configured such that a height of the high-density liquid delivers a hydrostatic pressure of at least 0.1 bar gauge to the dye fixation zone, so as to effect fixation of the dye in the fabric article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Zzakey Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Itzhak Shalev, Kirk E. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 7398662
    Abstract: A gasket and drum washing machine using the same. The washing machine includes a cabinet having a first opening through which a laundry is put in the cabinet, a tub installed in the cabinet to have a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a drum installed in the tub to have a third opening corresponding to the second opening, and a gasket for preventing leakage of water. The gasket includes a leakage preventing part having one end connected to a rim of the first opening and the other end connected to a rim of the second opening to prevent water leakage, a deformation preventing part connected to the leakage preventing part, and a laundry-stuck preventing part provided on an inner circumference of the leakage preventing part to prevent the laundry from being stuck between the second and third openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Kyum Kim, Ho Cheol Kwon, Kang Mo Choi
  • Patent number: 7398786
    Abstract: A cleaning device for the shaving head of a dry shaving apparatus includes a receptacle formed in a housing of the cleaning device. The receptacle adapted to receive the shaving head for cleaning with a cleaning fluid. During the cleaning cycle, the dry shaving apparatus is lockable in the cleaning device by means of an interlock. The shaving head is exposed to heat from a heater for drying subsequent to cleaning. Following a drying cycle, release of the interlock is controlled by a control element provided in the cleaning device to prevent an operator's skin from being burned by an excessively hot shaving head in an immediately succeeding shaving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Eichhorn, Detlef Gleich, Sebastian Hottenrott, Peter Junk, Christof Kleemann, Michael Odemer, Thorsten Pohl, Tobias Schwarz, Jürgen Wolf
  • Patent number: 7392672
    Abstract: A pulsator includes a metallic upper pulsator having an inlet at a center of the pulsator and upwardly protruding upper washing ribs radially around the inlet and a synthetic resin lower pulsator having upwardly protruding lower washing ribs and contacting a lower surface of the upper washing ribs, a guidance surface spaced apart from the lower surface of the upper pulsator and defining a flow passage for channeling water introduced through the inlet, and an outlet at an end of the guidance surface discharging water channeled through the flow passage. The lower pulsator rotates with and is fixed to a driving shaft of a washing machine. A pulsator includes a synthetic resin pulsator body having a washing rib and a metal plating layer on an outer surface of the pulsator body includes the inlet. The outlet and the flow passage are provided in the pulsator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Ho Kim, Jong Sun Yoon
  • Patent number: 7387131
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate With a processing fluid is provided. The apparatus includes holding members 60 for holding the substrate W, a chuck member 61 for supporting the holding members 60 and a top-face member 62 approaching the substrate W to cover its surface. In arrangement, since the top-face member 62 is supported by the chuck member 61, the holding members 60 can rotate together with the top-face member 62 in one body. With this structure, it is possible to reduce the influence of particles on the substrate W and also possible to provided a low-cost substrate processing apparatus occupied as little installation space as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Kuroda, Hiroki Taniyama, Takayuki Toshima
  • Patent number: 7387688
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a dishwasher with a central control unit by measuring the turbidity of the rinsing liquid and establishing the course of the program as a function of the turbidity of the rinsing liquid, the program beginning with a pre-rinse program step. In order to achieve a completely automatic operation, data for the further course of the program are calculated in the pre-rinse program portion with determined measurement values of turbidity and evaluation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Clemens Jung, Peter Schwarzweller, Konrad Petry, Reinhold Baltes
  • Patent number: 7383845
    Abstract: A portable washing device to be used to wash vehicles, consisting of a water supply tank (1), a gravity-flow supply hose (2) leading to a pressurizing pump (3), the pressurizing pump, a distribution hose (4), an underbody washer mechanism (5) of booms (6), rollers (7), and spray nozzles (8) and hand-held wands with nozzles (9) for spraying the wash water and nozzles for a final rinse, a waterproof fabric mat (10) and collection and cleaning system (11) for collecting and recycling the used wash water. Tire ramps (12) protect the distribution hose from crushing and damage as the vehicle being washed passes over the hoses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: David Dieziger
  • Patent number: 7383846
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack basket assembly that includes a water impervious basket of open mesh construction, the basket is selectively positionable between a first size and a second size, the first size securing small items while permitting flow of liquid therethrough, the second size smaller than the first size and not securing small items while permitting flow of liquid therethrough, and a projection positioned on the basket, wherein the projection is engageable to transform the basket from the first size to the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jesse Allen Curran
  • Patent number: 7380424
    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: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 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