Patents Examined by Charles W Kling
  • Patent number: 8652268
    Abstract: A method for treating substrates with treating liquids, using a treating tank for storing the treating liquids, a holding mechanism for holding the substrates in a treating position inside the treating tank, first and second treating liquid supply devices, a temperature control device, and a control device. A first treating liquid is supplied into the treating tank, then a second treating liquid of lower surface tension and higher boiling point than the first treating liquid is supplied, and placed in a temperature range above the boiling point of the first treating liquid and below the boiling point of the second treating liquid. Then the second treating liquid supply device may be controlled to replace the first treating liquid with the second treating liquid, while controlling the temperature control device to maintain the second treating liquid in the same temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toyohide Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8621894
    Abstract: A washing machine including a rotational drum into which laundry is input, a water tub to perform a washing operation using bubbles, a water supply device to supply water, a detergent liquid supply device to supply detergent liquid, an air supply device to supply air required for the generation of the bubbles, and a controller to control the water supply device and the detergent liquid supply device to supply the water and the detergent liquid into a space between the rotational drum and the tub, to control the air supply device to generate the bubbles by supplying air to detergent water as a mixture of the water and the detergent liquid, to supply the bubbles into the laundry, and to perform the washing operation using the bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong Min Oak, Hyun Sook Kim, Sung Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8616026
    Abstract: An improved control panel assembly is easy to fabricate, and easy to recognize a selected operation condition, and a laundry device with the same. The control panel assembly for a laundry device includes a button assembly having a plurality of buttons provided in correspondence to operation conditions, a control panel having a plurality of mounting holes for exposure of the plurality of buttons therethrough from a front thereof, and a frame on a rear of the control panel, the frame joining the plurality of buttons as one unit, and preventing pressing interference between adjacent buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ju Han Yoon, Sung Gi Hwang, Seong Kyu Kim, Seon Il Heo
  • Patent number: 8616225
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a washing chamber surrounded by walls. The walls include a water-impermeable inner wall and an insulation layer. At least a first wall of the walls has in a first region on an outside thereof an emission changing device configured to change an emission of thermal radiation. The emission changing device includes a layer having a variable emissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Markus Druecker, Seyfettin Kara, Monika Seifert, Stefan Tiekoetter, Cornelius Wolf
  • Patent number: 8613289
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dishwasher which permits cost reductions while enabling increased strength. A reinforcement member is mounted between pillars, which are erected in the corners of a machine chamber, and a functional part for executing washing and rinsing is fixed to the reinforcement member. Here, an example of the functional part is a washing pump for delivering washing water. Furthermore, another example for the functional part is a connecting part for connecting electrical wiring between a control box and a detergent supply device or a booster or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Tameishi, Kouji Suyama, Mamoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8602042
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a control device to control the dishwasher and at least one water feed controlled by the control device. The water feed is connected to at least one external water supply to take in water and the control device automatically controls a monitoring sequence in which at least one limit value is monitored for a temperature of the water that is provided by the external water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Grüll, Anton Oblinger
  • Patent number: 8597436
    Abstract: An aqua comb used with a hose for thoroughly and quickly cleaning, rinsing and combing the hair of both humans and animals. The aqua comb comprises four design elements: 1) a rotating hose nut with internal seal that is employed to attach the aqua comb to various hose endings, 2) an on/off valve for controlling fluid flow through the aqua comb, 3) an elongated and rigid fluid spray body with fluid discharge openings, and 4) a semi-rigid comb member positioned above the discharge openings to lift hair and allow fluid spray to reach scalp and skin thereunder. The core design element of the aqua comb is the presentation angle and comb member structure which work in concert with the fluid spray discharged from the fluid spray openings in its elongated spray body to multiply and leverage mechanical cleaning and combing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Allen Schreiber
  • Patent number: 8597435
    Abstract: An aqua comb typically used with a garden hose for thoroughly and quickly cleaning reusable pleated pool water filters and like filter cartridges having a pleated configuration. The aqua comb comprises four design elements: 1) a rotating hose nut with internal seal that is employed for leak-resistant attachment of the aqua comb to various hose endings, 2) an on/off valve for fluid flow control, 3) an elongated and rigid fluid spray body with fluid discharge openings, and 4) a semi-rigid comb member with long fingers. The core design element of the aqua comb is the combined presentation angle and physical design shape of its comb member which works in concert with the fluid spray discharged from the fluid spray openings in its elongated spray body to multiply and leverage mechanical cleaning action even in the valleys between filter pleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Allen Schreiber
  • Patent number: 8578952
    Abstract: A substrate processing system which enables a minute piece of foreign matter attached to a substrate surface to be detected and are suitable for mass production of substrates. The substrate processing system has a substrate processing apparatus that carries out predetermined processing on a substrate. The substrate processing system comprises a substrate surface processing apparatus having a fluid supply unit that supplies onto a surface of the substrate a fluid containing an altering substance that alters a substance exposed at the surface of the substrate, and a substrate surface inspecting apparatus that inspects the surface of the substrate onto which the fluid has been supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagaike, Tsuyoshi Moriya
  • Patent number: 8578951
    Abstract: A dish washer comprises a washing tub having a sump, at least one spraying nozzle located within the washing tub, means for feeding fresh water into the sump, a circulation pump for circulating process water from the sump to the spraying nozzle and a conductivity sensor for measuring the conductivity of the fresh and/or the process water. In order to enable use of a single conductivity sensor for measuring the conductivity of both the fresh and the process water, the conductivity sensor is located in a conduit for feeding fresh water into the sump and there further is provided a bypass line which is arranged to cause process water to flow through the conductivity sensor when the circulation pump is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation, N.V.
    Inventors: Jiri Bohac, Rolf Stahlmann, Hansjörg Lampe
  • Patent number: 8567420
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a semiconductor wafer includes: a gas jet device including a gas nozzle which jets a first gas onto the surface of a semiconductor wafer to thin the thickness of a stagnant layer on the surface of the semiconductor wafer; and a two-fluid jet device including a two-fluid nozzle which jets droplet mist onto a region where thickness of the stagnant layer of the semiconductor wafer is thinned, the droplet mist being mixed two-fluid of a liquid and a second gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Minako Inukai, Hiroshi Tomita, Kaori Umezawa, Yasuhito Yoshimizu, Linan Ji
  • Patent number: 8561624
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a washing compartment with a sidewall; a height-adjustable basket that can be at least partially withdrawn from the washing compartment; a spray arm; a feed pipe, disposed on the basket, for the spray arm; and a coupling device. The coupling device has a first part-coupling that is disposed on the sidewall and that has first openings arranged vertically one above another. The coupling device also has a second part-coupling that is connected to the feed pipe and that has a second opening which, depending on a height adjustment of the basket, cooperates with one of the first openings such that washing liquor passes through that opening and the second opening and flows via the feed pipe to the spray arm. The washing liquor is discharged under pressure from the first openings. The second part-coupling closes the remaining first openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Oblinger, Karlheinz Rehm
  • Patent number: 8562752
    Abstract: A process chamber for processing semi-conductor wafers. The chamber includes at least one rotor within the process chamber. The rotor is adapted to receive and/or process semi-conductor wafers. The top of the process chamber also includes a tiltable rim. This rim tilts from a non-inclined position to an inclined position. The wafers may be loaded into and unloaded from the process chamber when the rim is in its inclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 8561623
    Abstract: The apparatus removes debris from overhead open conduits. The apparatus includes a shaped conduit with closed sidewalls. The top portion of the shaped conduit exhibits a bend which permits it to reach into the open conduit. The portion of conduit beneath the bend is straight. On the straight portion there is an on-off switch which sends a wireless signal to a switch on a source of vacuum which is attached to the straight portion. Adjacent the on-off switch there may be a valve which controls an amount of water applied from a water line attached to the shaped conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Arnold Lowenstein
  • Patent number: 8555902
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure cleaning appliance, comprising a heatable heat exchanger for heating up a liquid dispensable by the high-pressure cleaning appliance, a blower with a flow channel connected thereto for supplying combustion air to the heat exchanger, and a setting member for setting the amount of combustion air suppliable to the heat exchanger, the setting member having a channel constriction section which is positionable in the flow channel and movable relative thereto for changing the free cross-sectional area of the flow channel. In order to develop a generic high-pressure cleaning appliance further so that the amount of combustion air suppliable to the heat exchanger can be better adjusted, it is proposed that the channel constriction section be configured so as to be slidingly displaceable relative to the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Boehm, Peter Pfaff, Werner Schwab
  • Patent number: 8557053
    Abstract: An actuator assembly, adapted to move a movable member between a first position and a second position, is provided. Such an actuator assembly comprises an actuator device configured to selectively provide an actuation signal, and an actuatable member operably engaged with the actuator device. The actuator member is operably engaged with a fixed member and extends therefrom into communication with the movable member. The actuatable member is further configured to receive the actuation signal and to change in dimension in response thereto, so as to provide a linear force for moving the movable member, with respect to the fixed member, between the first and second positions. Associated apparatuses are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bryan Pike, Fred Dennis Kedjierski
  • Patent number: 8534097
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clothes treating apparatus with a liquid supply unit. The clothes treating apparatus comprises: a body; a drum accommodated in the body; a steam generator communicated with inside of the drum, and configured to inject steam into the drum; a reservoir configured to store liquid to be supplied to the steam generator, and having an outlet at a bottom surface thereof; a closure having a check valve, and configured to close the outlet; and a reservoir accommodation portion configured to temporarily store the liquid discharged through the check valve, and communicated with the steam generator for flow of the liquid, wherein the check valve is configured to be open only when the reservoir has been mounted to the reservoir accommodation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Hun Bae, Sung-Ho Song, Chul-Jin Choi, Min-Ji Kim
  • Patent number: 8522579
    Abstract: A clothes washer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current state of an associated utility. The controller operates the clothes washer in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. In the case of a water heating clothes washer containing a heater assembly, the controller is configured to change the power consuming characteristics of the heater assembly to reduce power consumption of the clothes washer in an energy savings mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jerrod Aaron Kappler
  • Patent number: 8517036
    Abstract: A rinse arm or wash arm includes a tubular body connected to a fluid source. The tubular body has at least a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The first aperture forms a first spray and the second aperture forms a second spray when the fluid flows through the tubular body from the fluid source. The first aperture has a first aperture axis therethrough and the second aperture has a second aperture axis therethrough. The first aperture axis forms a first angle with a first vertical axis and the second aperture axis forms a second angle with a second vertical axis. The first angle is greater than 0 degrees, so that the first aperture directs the first spray towards the second spray forming an overlapping spray of the first spray and the second spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Jackson WWS, Inc.
    Inventor: James S. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 8511117
    Abstract: A plastic washing-machine tub with a front wall, a rear wall and a cylindrical wall enclosing an inner tub compartment, which comprises: two tub shells made from injection-molded plastic that can be connected together by means of an assembly plane in a tub closure direction, the first tub shell comprising the front wall and the second tub shell comprising the rear wall; an integral bulge emerging from the cylindrical wall and defining a cavity connected to the inner tub compartment, the bulge having at least one inlet and/or outlet opening. The assembly plane divides the bulge into two parts, a first bulge part being arranged in the first tub shell and a second bulge part in the second tub shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Noelia Borque Marquina, Miguel Angel Gomez Caudevilla, Ismael Garcia Bobed, Alberto Mañas Molina, Eduardo Recio Ferrer