Patents Examined by Spencer E Bell
  • Patent number: 11679742
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Sakai, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 11680348
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Ricardo Grandt
  • Patent number: 11674256
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaehyun Choi, Yohwan Kang, Hyunjae Lee
  • Patent number: 11667268
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11668039
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Anna Klemmer, Peter Schmiedel, Thomas Juckel, Christian Nitsch
  • Patent number: 11668044
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marcos L. Costa, Diogo M. Rodrigues, Rui Silva
  • Patent number: 11660908
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Jorge Adrian Villasenor Navarro
  • Patent number: 11647887
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE ILPEA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Sandro Mazzaro, Paolo Cittadini
  • Patent number: 11643768
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Su Han, Do Yoon Kim, Tae Gyoon Noh, Jun Hoe Choi
  • Patent number: 11643052
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: 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
  • Patent number: 11633082
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Klaiber, Manfred Herb, Helmut Rössle, Johann Schabert, Dieter Hotz
  • Patent number: 11634853
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Centrica PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas O'Malley, Sean Stephenson
  • Patent number: 11629448
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Phillip C. Hombroek, Bryan T. Snook
  • Patent number: 11627859
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: WASHGUARD LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Kaner, Gary Estes, Daniel Devore, Alan Seiler
  • Patent number: 11622666
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seyoung Woo, Joonho Pyo, Daegyu Kim, Taehee Lee
  • Patent number: 11618989
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brent M. Burgess, Scott E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 11610790
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kenji Kobayashi, Jun Sawashima, Yuta Nishimura, Akito Hatano, Motoyuki Shimai, Toyohide Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11603618
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Oshin Kwon, Keunjoo Kim, Byunghyun Moon, Dongsoo Lee, Jaeyong Jeong, Aekyung Chae
  • Patent number: 11596984
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: OMEGA LIQUID WASTE SOLUTIONS INC
    Inventors: Tony Vachon, Henri Jean Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 11591738
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard