Patents Examined by Benjamin L Osterhout
  • Patent number: 11891742
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a tub, a drum for receiving an object therein, an induction heater for heating an outer circumferential face of the drum, a motor for rotating the drum, and a power supply for supplying power from an external power source to the laundry treating apparatus, a relay for interrupting current to be applied from the power supply to the induction heater via an electrical wire, a processor connected to the relay via a control wire and configured to control an operation of the relay and to control an operation of the induction heater and an operation of the motor, and a first safety device disposed at the control wire to interrupt a control signal to be applied from the processor to the relay. The first safety device operates in response to a temperature change thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaehyuk Jang, Beomjun Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11889966
    Abstract: Image-based object sensing is utilized in a dishwasher to configure a wash cycle and/or perform other operations in the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joel Boyer, Robert M. Digman, Bassam Fawaz, Russell Dietrich
  • Patent number: 11891751
    Abstract: A laundry kiosk is provided according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the laundry kiosk contains a user interface component to receive laundering choices for a garment from a user and an apparatus to process the garment according to the received choices. The laundering choices include one or more of a combination of cleaning, pressing and drying. A suitable enclosure is also provided to hold the apparatus and the user interface component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: LAUNDRYSUCKS.IO INC.
    Inventors: Nishant Jain, Thibault P. Corens
  • Patent number: 11882978
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising a chassis, a tub supported by the chassis and at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving dishes, a structural element extending from the chassis along the tub and defining a socket; and a drain line extending between an inlet and an outlet and received in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mateusz Michal Wolowicz, Pawel Krzysztof Kolodziej, Radoslaw Pawel Jonczyk
  • Patent number: 11882975
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Garen Gibbs
  • Patent number: 11887870
    Abstract: A liquid supply unit includes a tank having an inner space for storing the liquid, an inlet line for supplying the liquid from the liquid supply source to the inner space and having an inlet valve installed thereon, an outlet line for supplying the liquid from the tank to a nozzle or for recollecting the liquid to the tank and having an outlet valve installed thereon, a gas supply line for supplying a gas to the inner space and having a gas control valve installed thereon, an exhaust line for exhausting the inner space and having an exhaust valve installed thereon, a circulation line for circulating the liquid stored in the inner space, and a controller controlling the liquid supply unit so that the circulation line is pressurized while the liquid is supplied to the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do Gyeong Ha, Seung Tae Yang
  • Patent number: 11879198
    Abstract: An ozone production method and system for producing ozone which comprises a plurality of washing machines, an ozone generator for generating ozone, and an ozone supply conduit for supplying ozone from the ozone generator to the washing machines. Each washing machine has a respective venturi, located between a water source and an inlet to the washing machine. The venturi is connected to the ozone supply conduit so that, as water flows through the respective venturi, such water flow creates a negative pressure within the ozone supply conduit. At least one sensor is located so as to detect the negative pressure created within the ozone supply conduit. The at least one sensor is connected to a control box, coupled to the ozone generator, which controls ozone production of the ozone generator depending upon the negative pressure generated within the ozone supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Ralph G. Daniels
  • Patent number: 11881418
    Abstract: A wafer cleaning apparatus for cleaning a circumferential edge of a wafer includes a cleaning unit that jets water toward the circumferential edge of the wafer from an outer side of the circumferential edge of the wafer held by a holding surface of a holding table, to clean the circumferential edge of the wafer. The cleaning unit includes a first nozzle that jets the water to the circumferential edge of the wafer from an outer side of the circumferential edge of the wafer in a direction parallel to the holding surface, a second nozzle that jets the water to the circumferential edge of the wafer in a direction of 45 degrees downward relative to the holding surface, and a third nozzle that jets the water to the circumferential edge of the wafer in a direction of 45 degrees upward relative to the holding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shohei Takeda, Tomohisa Ishikawa, Tsunaki Sakai
  • Patent number: 11877644
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the device may be used to clean any brush. The brush bristles carry bacteria, food particles, dust, germs, and other similar residue in tightly packed spaces near where the bristles connect with the head of the brush. In multiple embodiments, the device is a container that is filled with cleaning solution (e.g., mouthwash, cleaning solution, alcohol, etc.), a lid that substantially closes the top opening of the container, and an agitator pad that has a plurality of individual prongs. In various embodiments, the lid mirrors the container shape so that the lid and the container can be operatively connected. In various embodiments, the lid has a cover, so that when the device is not being use, the cover may be put in a closed position so that the cover closes the opening in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Mark Altschuler
  • Patent number: 11879788
    Abstract: A sensor suitable for optical turbidity measurements is described. The sensor is suitable for use in a water-bearing domestic electrical appliance (e.g. washing machine or dishwasher) and allows the temperature dependence of the turbidity measurements obtained by means of a first light detector to be compensated for. To this end, the sensor implements, in addition to a turbidity-measuring path along which a measuring-light beam is sent through a measuring space containing the turbid medium to a first light detector, a reference measuring path along which a reference light beam is transported to a second light detector which is thermally coupled with the first light detector. A heat-equalizing element can ensure that any temperature differences between the two light detectors are minimized. Both light-measuring paths can run in some regions inside the same solid-material light-conducting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: EMZ-HANAUER GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Martin Brabec, Manfredi Signorino
  • Patent number: 11880073
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning tool includes a cleaning portion (101), a container (102) configured to store a cleaning liquid (121), and an atomizer (103) configured to atomize the cleaning liquid (121) stored in the container (102) by ultrasonic atomization. The atomizer (103) includes an atomizing separation portion (105) configured to cover a liquid supply port (104) and pass not a liquid but mist. In addition, the cleaning tool includes a control circuit (107) configured to control an operation time of the atomizer (103) by a set time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: NTT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuichiro Asakawa, Kenta Arai, Etsu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11874077
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an obstruction within a tube being cleaned and repetitively advancing and retracting a flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance within the tube is disclosed. The apparatus monitors drive roller/belt position and actual hose position, compares the belt (expected travel) to hose position (travel) and generates a position difference, or mismatch. If the mismatch is above a predetermined level, the drive motor direction is reversed for a predetermined time interval, and forward operation restored after the predetermined time interval; and the sequence of repeating the reversing and restoring operations is continued until the position difference or mismatch no longer exceeds the predetermined difference threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.
    Inventors: Travis Watkins, Jeffery R. Barnes, Daniel Szabo, Cody R. Montoya
  • Patent number: 11865592
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a protection cover, a vibrator, a piezoelectric driver, and a signal processing circuit. When the signal processing circuit determines that foreign matter is adhered to a surface of the protection cover, it controls the piezoelectric driver such that vibration of the protection cover has a vibration acceleration of about 1.5×105 m/s2. When the signal processing circuit determines that the foreign matter is adhered to the surface of the protection cover when control of the driver such that vibration of the protection cover has a prescribed vibration acceleration, the protection cover is warmed with a warmer. After the protection cover is warmed, the signal processing circuit controls the piezoelectric driver such that vibration of the protection cover has a resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noritaka Kishi
  • Patent number: 11866881
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment apparatus comprising: a cabinet having a first side panel and a second side panel, an upper panel and a lower panel, and a rear panel; a first base having a front panel which is fixed to the first side panel, the second side panel, the upper panel, and the lower panel and forms a front surface of the cabinet, and an input hole which is provided to penetrate the front panel; a first chamber which is positioned in the cabinet and provides a space for accommodating clothes; a second base; a second chamber; a supply unit in the second chamber and supplying at least one of air and moisture into the first chamber; and a heat insulation unit formed by foaming plastic in a foam space formed between the cabinet, the first base, the first chamber, and the second base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junyoung Choi, Wansik Nam, Sunghoo Park, Hyeyong Park
  • Patent number: 11865589
    Abstract: A system for and method of removing residues, deposits, and debris from a substrate that has been marked by a chemical etching process is disclosed. The system includes one or more upper sprayers that deposit a cleaning solution to a top surface of the product as it passes beneath the one or more upper sprayers. The system further includes at least one upper brush that operates to scrub the top surface of the product after the cleaning solution has been applied thereto. The system optionally includes one or more lower sprayers and lower brushes to clean a bottom surface of the product as it is conveyed through the system. The system further includes an air knife system that assists with drying the product prior to exiting the system. The system further includes a controller that is operable to adjust various system parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Nameplate Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronnie Dwaine Phelps, Preston Cray Smith, Joseph Wayne Deskin, Jon Loshinsky, Allan Stanfield
  • Patent number: 11856680
    Abstract: A substrate processing system capable of setting a stable reference ground level for electrical components while handling electrostatic discharge (ESD) is provided. The substrate processing system includes a first ground bar connected to a building ground; and a second ground bar connected to the building ground and physically separated from the first ground bar, wherein the first ground bar is connected to a first electrical component to set a ground level of the first electrical component, wherein the second ground bar is dedicated to a charged component, and the second ground bar is connected to the first charged component to set a path of the electrostatic discharge current generated by the first charged component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun Whan Kim, Byung Du Jeon
  • Patent number: 11854840
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes: a substrate transfer device; processing units each having a substrate holding mechanism for rotatably holding a substrate received from the substrate transfer device and a processing fluid supply part for supplying a processing fluid to the substrate; and a controller for controlling the substrate transfer device and the processing units according to processing recipe information so as to execute the substrate processing process. When an abnormality in a certain unit of the processing units occurs in the substrate processing process for the substrate to be processed, the controller controls the substrate transfer device and a relief processing unit according to complementary recipe information so that the complementary processing process for a relief substrate is executed in the relief processing unit by transferring the relief substrate to the relief processing unit different from the certain processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yuji Takimoto
  • Patent number: 11845028
    Abstract: A system for cleaning filter cartridges having a cylindrically configured filter media. The cleaning system includes a tank for containing a cleaning liquid, and an open-sided cage for removably receiving and containing one of the filter cartridges to be cleaned. The cage is supported on a drive shaft of a motorized drive that is positionable for disposing the open-sided cage and filter cartridge contained therein in cleaning liquid in the tank and is selectively operable for rotating the open-sided cage and filter cartridge contained therein during a cleaning cycle for cleaning the filter media of the contained filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Szczap
  • Patent number: 11839904
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus capable of thoroughly cleaning all parts of a workpiece is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes: a cleaning chamber; a table rotation shaft that rotates about a first axis; a first swivel fitting disposed inside the table rotation shaft; a table on which the cleaning workpiece is placed; a first motor that rotates the table rotation shaft; a propeller shaft that rotates about a second axis that is parallel to the first axis; a second swivel fitting connected to a propeller shaft; and a nozzle that rotates integrally with the second swivel shaft and that ejects a cleaning fluid in a direction different from the second axis toward the cleaning workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroki Haremaki, Yoshiteru Kawamori, Taiki Matsui, Kodai Nakazaki
  • Patent number: 11840795
    Abstract: A clothing processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet having a receiving space formed therein, in which clothing is received, a holder configured to be located in the receiving space to hold a clothing supporter configured to support the clothing, a steamer configured to spray steam toward the clothing while elevating inside the receiving space in the vertical direction, an elevating motor configured to provide an elevating power of the steamer, and a tilting motor configured to rotate the holder so that the arm of the clothing droops downward to be separated from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ayeong Lee, Jeongjoon Roh, Jihyun Yoon, Taehee Lee