Patents by Inventor Robert M. Digman

Robert M. Digman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11412912
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method therefor utilize a slip ring alignment arrangement to facilitate control over a rotational position of a rack-mounted tubular spray element or other rotatable conduit that is capable of being decoupled from a rotational drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joel Boyer, Robert M. Digman
  • Patent number: 11399690
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method utilize a cam-based position sensor that is configured to sense multiple rotational positions for a discretely directable tubular spray element driven by a tubular spray element drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joel Boyer, Robert M. Digman
  • Publication number: 20220151454
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method utilize an imaging system to perform various diagnostic operations within the dishwasher, including one or more of level sensing, filter cleaning, wash tub rinse down, foam detection, imaging system cleaning, and remote viewing. A controller may clean a filter by controllably-redirecting a controllably-movable sprayer to spray fluid onto the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Joel Boyer, Robert M. Digman, Russell Dietrich, Bassam Fawaz
  • Patent number: 11324380
    Abstract: A single cavity dishwashing appliance with one or more drawers is disclosed. The drawer may be moveable between a closed position and an open position. A drip shield may be provided to prevent washing fluid from dripping onto the floor or onto the inner components of the dishwashing appliance when the drawer is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Eric Scalf, Bassam Fawaz, Joel Boyer, Russell Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20220110502
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method utilize a thermal imaging system in a dishwasher to configure a wash cycle and/or perform other operations in the dishwasher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Russell Dietrich, Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer
  • Publication number: 20220095881
    Abstract: A single cavity dishwashing appliance with one or more drawers is disclosed. The drawer may be moveable between a closed position and an open position. A drip shield may be provided to prevent washing fluid from dripping onto the floor or onto the inner components of the dishwashing appliance when the drawer is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Eric Scalf, Bassam Fawaz, Joel Boyer, Russell Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20220087500
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method therefor utilize a slip ring alignment arrangement to facilitate control over a rotational position of a rack-mounted tubular spray element or other rotatable conduit that is capable of being decoupled from a rotational drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Joel Boyer, Robert M. Digman
  • Publication number: 20220079412
    Abstract: A tubular spray element for a dishwasher is formed in part from a molded elongated tube including one or more elongated slots formed in a sidewall thereof along one or more lengthwise portions of the elongated tube and one or more additional lengthwise portions in which the sidewall extends fully around a circumference of the elongated tube. In addition, one or more elongated caps are secured to the elongated tube and are sized and configured to cover the elongated slot(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Joel Boyer, Robert M. Digman
  • Patent number: 11259681
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method utilize an imaging system to perform various diagnostic operations within the dishwasher, including one or more of level sensing, filter cleaning, wash tub rinse down, foam detection, imaging system cleaning, and remote viewing. A controller may clean a filter by controllably-redirecting a controllably-movable sprayer to spray fluid onto the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD
    Inventors: Joel Boyer, Robert M. Digman, Russell Dietrich, Bassam Fawaz
  • Patent number: 11255549
    Abstract: A venting appliance for use with a cooking appliance including a cooktop with at least one cooking element disposed thereon, where the venting appliance may include: a housing configured to be positioned above the cooktop; a repositionable vent arm coupled to and extending below the housing; and a controller coupled to the repositionable vent arm and configured to determine that a first cooking element among at least one cooking elements is active, and in response thereto, automatically reposition the vent arm to be closer to the first cooking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eric Scalf, Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20220047147
    Abstract: A retracting rack for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. The rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A spring may drive the rack towards the stowed position. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the rack in one or more positions. A release mechanism and/or a reset mechanism may be used to control the retracting cycle of the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer
  • Publication number: 20220022721
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method utilize an image-based position sensor that is positioned to sense the rotational position of a discretely directable tubular spray element driven by a tubular spray element drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer
  • Patent number: 11219350
    Abstract: A retracting rack for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. The rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A spring may drive the rack towards the stowed position. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the rack in one or more positions. A release mechanism and/or a reset mechanism may be used to control the retracting cycle of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer
  • Publication number: 20210401257
    Abstract: A dishwasher may utilize a multi-level dishwasher rack that in some instances may be reconfigurable into different configurations to optimize the rack for different types and/or combinations of utensils. A movable divider may be used in some instances to selectively expose a deep portion of a rack, and a drawer may be used in some instances to provide access utensils stored underneath a divider. A movable portion of a bottom of a rack may also be used in some instances to provide different support surfaces in the rack at different elevations. A tubular spray element or another rotatable spray tube may also be positioned relative to a multi-level dishwasher rack in some instances to facilitate concentrated washing of different facing surfaces of different utensils stored in the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Garen Gibbs
  • Patent number: 11202550
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method utilize a thermal imaging system in a dishwasher to configure a wash cycle and/or perform other operations in the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Russell Dietrich, Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer
  • Publication number: 20210386269
    Abstract: A detergent dispenser may be positioned to dispense detergent into a wash tub of a household appliance. The detergent dispenser may include a detergent cartridge. The detergent cartridge may include a detergent strip having a plurality of detergents. One or more ejection mechanisms may be used to expel the detergent from the detergent strip through an outlet of the detergent cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer, Russell Dietrich
  • Patent number: 11194305
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring dish ware position and modifying the wash and dry cycle of a dishwasher by capturing and analyzing image data utilizing a plurality of cloud-connected cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Qiang Liu
  • Patent number: 11191416
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method utilize an image-based position sensor that is positioned to sense the rotational position of a discretely directable tubular spray element driven by a tubular spray element drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer
  • Patent number: 11147430
    Abstract: A dishwasher utilizes multiple rack-mounted corner sprayers disposed in corners defined between a side wall and front and rear walls of a dishwasher rack to direct fluid inwardly from the corners to wash utensils supported by the rack. The corner sprayers are in fluid communication with one another by a fluid channel that extends along the side wall of the rack, and an inlet port coupled to the first corner sprayer conveys fluid to each of the corner sprayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer
  • Patent number: 11147431
    Abstract: A detergent dispenser may dispense detergent into a wash tub of a household appliance. The detergent dispenser may include a blister pack with a plurality of detergents. One or more rotating members may be used to expel the detergent from the blister pack through one or more outlets. The one or more rotating members may include one or more actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer, Russell Dietrich