Patents Examined by Spencer E Bell
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Patent number: 11679742Abstract: A vehicular system includes a first in-vehicle sensor having a first cleaning target surface which is provided on a design part forming an appearance of a vehicle and arranged so as to face an exterior of the vehicle. The first cleaning target surface is arranged at an inner side of the vehicle than an immediate upper portion of the first cleaning target surface. The immediate upper portion is constituted by a protrusion provided in a rear bumper.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaru Sakai, Masaaki Sato
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Patent number: 11680348Abstract: The clothes washing and drying machine comprises a washing machine, a drying machine, a chute structure, and a control circuit. The washing machine, the drying machine, and the chute structure are interconnected to form a composite prism structure. The control circuit controls the operation of the clothes washing, the drying machine, and the chute structure. The washing machine is in a superior position relative to the chute structure and the drying machine. The drying machine is in an inferior position relative to the chute structure and the washing machine. The chute structure is in an intermediate position relative to the washing machine and the drying machine. The chute structure forms a channel that allows clothes to fall from the washing machine to the drying machine when: a) the washing machine has completed its operating cycle; while simultaneously, b) the drying machine does not contain clothing.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Inventor: Ricardo Grandt
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Patent number: 11674256Abstract: A washing machine includes a casing, a tub, a drum, a pump for circulating water from the tub, a gasket connecting an entry hole of the casing to an entrance hole of the tub and including nozzles for spraying water to the drum, and outlet ports for supplying water to the nozzles. The nozzles are arranged at an inner surface of the gasket at both lateral sides of the gasket in a vertical direction. The gasket includes port receiving pipes that receive the outlet ports, respectively, that are arranged in the vertical direction at an outer surface of the gasket, and that extend parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jaehyun Choi, Yohwan Kang, Hyunjae Lee
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Patent number: 11667268Abstract: A vehicle cleaner system includes: a cleaner unit configured to be mounted on a vehicle and to discharge a cleaning medium to an external sensor that acquires information outside the vehicle so as to clean the external sensor; and a cleaner control unit configured to control the cleaner unit. The cleaner control unit is configured to acquire weather information, and control the cleaner unit such that at least one of a type of the cleaning medium, a discharge amount of the cleaning medium, the number of times of discharge of the cleaning medium, the number of times of discharge of the cleaning medium per unit time, and a discharge time of the cleaning medium varies according to the weather information.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Kazuki Kawamura
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Patent number: 11668039Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for washing laundry of a laundry load, in particular in a washing drum (B2), carried out by at least one device (100, 200). In one example, the method includes generating steam and applying the steam to the laundry of the laundry load; producing a microemulsion by employing a detergent composition; and washing the laundry of the laundry load using a first wash liquor based on the microemulsion.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAAInventors: Arnd Kessler, Anna Klemmer, Peter Schmiedel, Thomas Juckel, Christian Nitsch
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Patent number: 11668044Abstract: A method of dispensing at least two treating chemistries during a cycle of operation in a laundry treating appliance. The method comprises non-centrifugally dispensing a first treating chemistry into a treating chamber from a first dispenser compartment located within the clothes mover and centrifugally dispensing a second treating chemistry into the treating chamber from a second dispenser located within the clothes mover.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Marcos L. Costa, Diogo M. Rodrigues, Rui Silva
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Patent number: 11660908Abstract: A roller-type applicator cleaning apparatus includes a lid, a housing, a water inlet valve, a base, a plurality of radial openings, and a central axis. The base includes a platform and an applicator holder. The lid, the housing, and the base are concentrically positioned along the central axis. The applicator holder is adjacently connected onto the platform and function as a storage space for the roller-type applicator. The plurality of radial openings laterally traverses through the applicator holder so that a flow of water can discharge into the applicator holder as the flow of water is entered into the housing through the water inlet. The lid and the base are oppositely positioned of each other about the housing and threadedly attached to the housing. The applicator holder is encircled by the housing so that the flow of water can fully engaged with the inserted applicator that needs to be cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Inventor: Jorge Adrian Villasenor Navarro
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Patent number: 11647887Abstract: The invention relates to a seal for a dishwasher adapted to be interposed between a peripheral edge of an opening of a tub for cookware and a door for closing said opening. The seal comprises a metal part adapted to be connected to the peripheral edge of the opening, a first part, made of polymeric material, integrally connected to the metal part and a second part, made of polymeric material, associated with the first part and adapted to be contacted by the door when the door is arranged in a position for closing the opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: INDUSTRIE ILPEA S.P.A.Inventors: Sandro Mazzaro, Paolo Cittadini
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Patent number: 11643768Abstract: A wireless sensing device disposed a drum along with laundry to measure humidity in the drum, thereby increasing accuracy in estimation of a degree of dryness, a dryer for determining a degree of dryness of the laundry using the wireless sensing device, and a method of controlling the dryer. The wireless sensing device includes a sensing module including a humidity sensor for measuring humidity in a drum of a dryer into which the wireless sensing module is thrown; a sensor communication module transmitting or receiving data with a main communication module of the dryer through wireless communication; a sensor controller configured to control the sensor communication module to transmit a humidity value corresponding to an output of the sensing module to the main communication module; and a sensor power supplier supplying power to the sensing module, the sensor communication module, and the sensor controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeong Su Han, Do Yoon Kim, Tae Gyoon Noh, Jun Hoe Choi
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Patent number: 11643052Abstract: A sensor-cleaning apparatus includes an upper piece, a lower piece fixed to the upper piece, a plurality of inserts inserted into the upper piece, and a plurality of nozzles. The upper piece and the lower piece form a tubular segment that is elongated along an arc of a circle and encloses a chamber. Each nozzle is formed of the upper piece and one of the inserts. Each nozzle includes a deflection surface and a tunnel from the chamber to the deflection surface, and each tunnel is partially formed of the upper piece and partially formed of the respective insert.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Valeo North America, Inc.Inventors: Andre Sykula, Kunal Singh, Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi, Yoann Dolle, William Terrasse, Denis Thebault, Veeramanikandan Gopal, Gowtham Ilanthirayan, Michael Whitney
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Patent number: 11633082Abstract: A rinsing container for a household dishwashing machine includes a bottom plate, a rear wall, and a U-shaped rinsing container jacket which is arranged on the bottom plate and fixedly connected thereto via a folded joint. Integrally formed on the bottom plate and on the rinsing container jacket is a fastening flange for fastening the rear wall to the bottom plate and to the rinsing container jacket, with the fastening flange configured to form a part of the folded joint. A folding sealing means is provided in the folded joint and formed as a sealing bead, with the sealing bead having in the folding-joint-forming part of the fastening flange a first cross-sectional surface which is greater than a cross-sectional surface in a central region of the folded joint.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbHInventors: Armin Klaiber, Manfred Herb, Helmut Rössle, Johann Schabert, Dieter Hotz
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Patent number: 11634853Abstract: A method of monitoring drainage of a washing appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine having a pump for draining a washing chamber is disclosed. The method includes receiving a time series of power consumption data relating to the operation of the washing appliance over a monitored period of operation including pumped draining of the washing chamber. A measure of the duration of a portion of the monitored period comprising said pumped draining is derived from the time series of power consumption data. The measure of duration is then compared to a reference value and an indicator of a drainage condition is determined based on the comparison. The method may be used to detect scaling or blockages in drainage flow paths.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Centrica PLCInventors: Nicholas O'Malley, Sean Stephenson
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Patent number: 11629448Abstract: A wash drum apparatus and method of adjusting the wash capacity for a laundry washing machine. The wash drum may include one or more rear cover inserts that may adjust the wash capacity of the wash drum. The rear cover insert may include one or more impellers. The wash drum may include a rear cover.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Phillip C. Hombroek, Bryan T. Snook
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Patent number: 11627859Abstract: A wash monitoring system including a water flow meter that transmits water flow readings of flow through a water line, chemical conduits with color sensors on the chemical conduits and configured to transmit color readings of a chemical within the chemical conduits, and chemical flow meters on the chemical conduits that transmit chemical flow readings of flow through the chemical conduits. The system includes a memory containing processor-executable instructions that cause processors to compare the water flow readings with a range of water flow readings, compare the chemical flow readings with a range of chemical flow readings, compare the color readings with a range of color readings associated with each of the one or more chemical conduits, and initiate an alarm if one of the water flow readings, the chemical flow readings, or the color readings are not within the respective ranges of readings.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: WASHGUARD LLCInventors: Andrew Kaner, Gary Estes, Daniel Devore, Alan Seiler
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Patent number: 11622666Abstract: A dishwasher may include a sump configured to store water, a main arm disposed at the sump and configured to supply water from the sump, an auxiliary arm rotatably disposed at the main arm and configured to spray water, and an auxiliary arm connection member disposed at the main arm and configured to rotatably support the auxiliary arm, where the auxiliary arm may include an auxiliary flow passage configured to allow water flow through the auxiliary arm, where the main arm may include a transfer flow passage in fluid communication with the auxiliary flow passage, where the auxiliary arm connection member may include a flow tube disposed at the main arm in fluid communication with the transfer flow passage and the auxiliary flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seyoung Woo, Joonho Pyo, Daegyu Kim, Taehee Lee
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Patent number: 11618989Abstract: A laundry appliance system includes a cabinet operable between a lowered position and a plurality of raised positions. A first lift assembly is coupled to a first side of the cabinet. A second lift assembly is coupled to a second side of the cabinet. The first and second lift assemblies operate concurrently to adjust the cabinet between the lowered position and the plurality of raised positions. A user-interface assembly is operably coupled to the cabinet. The user-interface assembly is configured to receive a user input corresponding with a selected raised position of the plurality of raised positions. A controller is configured to operate the first and second lift assemblies to the selected raised position in response to the user input.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Brent M. Burgess, Scott E. Carpenter
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Patent number: 11610790Abstract: A supply flow passage branches into a plurality of upstream flow passages. The plurality of upstream flow passages include a branching upstream flow passage that branches into a plurality of downstream flow passages. A plurality of discharge ports are respectively disposed at a plurality of positions differing in distance from a rotational axis and discharge processing liquids, supplied via the plurality of upstream flow passages, toward an upper surface of a substrate held by a substrate holding unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Inventors: Kenji Kobayashi, Jun Sawashima, Yuta Nishimura, Akito Hatano, Motoyuki Shimai, Toyohide Hayashi
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Patent number: 11603618Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a laundry treating apparatus comprising a tub configured to hold wash water, a drum mounted in the tub, a pulsator mounted in the drum, a sub-drum coupled to the drum, the sub-drum being configured to hold wash water, and a drive unit configured to rotate the drum and the pulsator. The method comprises a water current forming step comprising performing a basket motion and a pulsate motion and a cooling step comprising lowering the temperature of the drive unit. The basket motion is configured to form water current in the wash water held in the tub and in the sub-drum simultaneously. The pulsate motion is configured to form water current in wash water held in the drum while the pulsator is driven. A performance timing of the cooling step is preset in at least one of the wash cycle or the rinse cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Oshin Kwon, Keunjoo Kim, Byunghyun Moon, Dongsoo Lee, Jaeyong Jeong, Aekyung Chae
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Patent number: 11596984Abstract: A cleaning vehicle generally has a grey water reservoir having a pre-filter; an aspiration conduit leading into the grey water reservoir upstream from the pre-filter and a vacuum pump adapted to create a vacuum inside the grey water reservoir to draw grey water; a vortex separation subsystem connected downstream from the pre-filter; a filtration bag subsystem connected downstream from the vortex separation subsystem; a filtrate reservoir connected downstream from the filtration bag subsystem; a high pressure hose having an end connected downstream from the filtrate reservoir and another end having a high pressure spray nozzle; a filtrate path extending from the grey water reservoir to the high pressure spray nozzle via the pre-filter, the vortex separation subsystem, the filtration bag subsystem and the high pressure hose; and at least one pump adapted to entrain a flow of fluid along the filtrate path.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: OMEGA LIQUID WASTE SOLUTIONS INCInventors: Tony Vachon, Henri Jean Bourgeois
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Patent number: 11591738Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a rotatable basket and a motor configured to drive the rotatable basket. The method includes sensing an attribute of articles in the basket. The method also includes determining a pause duration for an agitation operation based at least in part on the sensed attribute of the articles in the basket. The method further includes performing the agitation operation for a period of time. The agitation operation includes activating a motor of the washing machine appliance to agitate the articles within the basket for an agitation duration and deactivating the motor of the washing machine appliance for the pause duration. The period of time is equal to the sum of the agitation duration and the pause duration.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard