Patents Examined by David G Cormier
  • Patent number: 11015277
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a washing machine and method for controlling the same. An embodiment of the washing machine includes an auxiliary washing unit placed below a door arranged on top of a main body; an input unit for receiving instructions to start and stop auxiliary washing; and a water supply unit for supplying water to the auxiliary washing unit if the instruction to start water supply is input, and stopping supplying water to the auxiliary washing unit if the instruction to stop water supply is input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yeon Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 11007983
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system disposed in a vehicle wash facility includes a plurality of vehicle wash components disposed adjacent a vehicle treatment area. The system includes plurality of lights to be disposed in the vehicle wash facility. Each of the lights is configured with at least a first state and in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to enable the first state of the plurality of lights when no vehicles are present in the vehicle wash facility. When the first state is enabled, the plurality of lights are configured to emit light in a preprogrammed pattern of different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 10998186
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus including a dry processing unit and a controller. The dry processing unit includes: a chamber that accommodates the substrate; a supercritical processing liquid supply unit that supplies a supercritical processing liquid to the substrate; a heating unit that heats an inside of the chamber; and a discharge unit that discharges a fluid in the chamber from the chamber. The controller controls the supercritical processing liquid supply unit, the heating unit, and the discharge unit such that the supercritical processing liquid is supplied to the substrate before or after the substrate is accommodated in the chamber, the inside of the chamber is heated to change the supercritical processing liquid into a supercritical fluid or a subcritical fluid, and the supercritical fluid or the subcritical fluid is discharged from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Gentaro Goshi, Keisuke Egashira
  • Patent number: 10986975
    Abstract: A floor cleaner includes an electrically powered component and a power switch. The power switch includes a button including an actuator surface and a wall that extends away from the actuator surface. The power switch further includes a frame, the button movable relative to the frame to operate the power switch. The frame includes an inner wall that defines a button aperture, the button extending into the button aperture, an outer wall, a fluid outlet, and a fluid collection surface between the inner wall and the outer wall that directs fluid on the fluid collection surface toward the fluid outlet. The wall of the button is received in a gap between the inner wall and the outer wall of the frame so that fluid is directed along the wall of the button to the fluid collection surface and inhibited from passing through the button aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Douglas M. Rukavina, Donovan Bode, Juan Aviles Quintero
  • Patent number: 10988884
    Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus is provided. The clothes treating apparatus may include a drum having a locking tab formed by cutting a portion of an outer circumferential surface to be bendable inward towards an interior of the drum, and a balancer having a fastener that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface to hold the locking tab. The locking tab may be configured to be pushed inward towards the interior of the drum in order to be locked in the fastener and to restrict movement of the balancer in a forward or backward direction of the drum as the drum rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Byeongheon Kwak, Jinwoong Kim, Hyunseok Seo
  • Patent number: 10981770
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to cleaning a portion of a beverage line of a beverage distribution system based upon a signal received from a remote source. An administrative (also referred to as “admin”) system can manage a cleaning system from a remote location in which a remote signal can drive a cleaning system and at least one or more electric valves within the beverage distribution system. A controller component (local to the beverage distribution system) can receive the remote signal from the admin system, wherein a cleaning system (e.g., via a cleaning line) or a dispensing system (e.g., via a hose) can be selected to enable a cleaning mode or a dispensing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Breakwall Analytics, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Carson, Arthur J. Geigel, III, Christopher Armenio
  • Patent number: 10975508
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a tub; a first drum disposed within the tub; a second drum disposed in the first drum and configured to couple to the first drum and to perform washing separately from the first drum; and a water discharge mechanism mounted on the second drum. The water discharge mechanism includes: a seat portion extending radially inwardly from a side wall of the second drum; a water receiving hole defined in the seat portion for receiving washing water from the second drum; and a water-discharging hole defined in the side wall for discharging washing water to an outside. The water discharge mechanism is configured to selectively flow washing-water into the discharge mechanism through the water receiving hole or discharge washing-water to the outside through the water-discharging hole, based on a magnitude of centrifugal force cause by rotation of the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Keunjoo Kim, Oshin Kwon, Jaeyong Jeong
  • Patent number: 10975512
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method of preventing and mitigating out-of-balance conditions during a spin cycle are provided. In one example aspect, liquid is flowed into the tub and articles within a basket rotatably mounted in a tub of the washing machine appliance are agitated for a first time period. The movement of the tub during the first time period is measured and a trend line is calculated based on the movement of the tub over the first time period. A time remaining is calculated based at least in part on the trend line. If the time remaining is less than a time remaining threshold, and if the determined time remaining is less than the time remaining threshold, the articles within the basket are agitated by an extended agitation time period in which the washing machine appliance attempts to more evenly distribute the articles prior to a spin cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10968117
    Abstract: The invention provides a deionization system (1000) configured to deionize an aqueous liquid (10), wherein the deionization system (1000) comprises: (a) a recirculation loop (100) comprising a first loop inlet (111), a first loop outlet (121) and a second loop outlet (122); (b) a flow generation apparatus (200), configured to generate flow of the aqueous liquid (10) in the deionization system (1000); (c) an electrosorption cell unit (300) comprising a treatment section (305) for said aqueous liquid (10), wherein the treatment section (305) comprises (a) a first electrosorption electrode arrangement (310) comprising a first electrosorption electrode (311), (b) a second electrosorption electrode arrangement (320) comprising a second electrosorption electrode (321), (c) a first treatment section opening (331) for introduction of the aqueous liquid (10) from the recirculation loop (100), and (d) a second treatment section opening (332) for releasing aqueous liquid (10) into the recirculation loop (100), wherein t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Alwin Rogier Martijn Verschueren
  • Patent number: 10954623
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a housing, which includes first and second wash units within the housing. The first and second wash unit include first and second tubs, first and second drums mounted inside the first and second tubs, and first and second drive units configured to drive rotations of the first and second drums, respectively. The laundry treating apparatus also includes a valve assembly that is configured to receive tap water and that is configured to control a supply of the tap water to each of the first wash unit and the second wash unit within the housing. The laundry treating apparatus further includes at least two supply lines configured to supply the tap water from the valve assembly to at least two supply points of the second tub in the second wash unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kuyoung Son, Keunjoo Kim, Hyeokdeok Kim
  • Patent number: 10947656
    Abstract: A water replenishment control method for a multi-drum washing machine. The washing machine comprises at least a first washing drum and a second washing drum. While the first washing drum is in a washing process, if the water level of washing water is lower than a set value, then a water replenishment process is executed, and before that, it is necessary to determine whether or not the second washing drum is executing a water replenishment process; if yes, the first washing drum pauses the water replenishment process, and the second washing drum executes precedence preferentially; if no, the first washing drum executes water replenishment process and terminates it when the water level of the washing water reaches a set water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peishi Lv, Wenwei Li, Yuanyuan Chang, Jinkai Wang, Jun Wu
  • Patent number: 10945585
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber that receives dishes for treatment, a dish rack located in the tub and having a bottom wall and at least a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the side wall including a set of vertical tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Vikramsinh S. Mohite, Shailender Tiwari
  • Patent number: 10947657
    Abstract: A steam generating device for a washing machine and a washing machine are disclosed. The steam generating device includes a heating pipe connected to a heating control unit. A steam heating chamber is further arranged above the heating pipe. A cover plate component for facilitating escaping of steam and supplementation of cold water is arranged above the steam heating chamber. In the steam generating device, the steam heating chamber is arranged around the hot water pipe arranged on the bottom portion of a rear outer drum and the cover plate component is provided for engagement, such that continuous steam is generated in a washing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng Xu, Yanfen Lv, Zhiqiang Zhao
  • Patent number: 10940511
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which enable the reduction of sample carryover in the measurement cell of an analytical instrument. A sample cell is defined as a region sealed within a first o-ring. Located outside of said sample region is another o-ring which seals and defines a seal wash region as the region between the first and second o-ring. After the fluid sample is injected into the measurement cell a pressure is applied to the seal wash region, forcing the first o-ring to the innermost extent of the groove in which it sits, expelling any trapped solvent and removing from the measurement cell a significant dead volume while the cell is flushed and prepared for a new sample and corresponding measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: WYATT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven P. Trainoff
  • Patent number: 10939796
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance that includes features for condensation abatement on objects surrounding the dishwasher appliance during a drying cycle is provided. The dishwasher appliance is operable in a plurality of drying cycle modes. The mode in which the dishwasher appliance operates the dry cycle is determined based at least in part on a minimum cycle temperature indicative of the minimum temperature within or of a tub of the dishwasher appliance during an operation cycle. Moreover, methods for condensation abatement are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Kopera, Adam Christopher Hofmann
  • Patent number: 10937670
    Abstract: A megasonic cleaner includes a water tank that includes a pair of opposite inner walls and a bottom wall connected thereto, and that accommodates a fluid therein; a plurality of supporting units arranged in the water tank at predetermined positions that support a wafer; and at least one transducer arranged on the bottom wall that transmits energy in the form of waves into the fluid, where each of the opposite inner walls has a first protrusion that protrudes into an internal space of the water tank, the first protrusion being spaced above the bottom wall and positioned at an height that is greater than or equal to a height of the centers of the plurality of supporting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Park, Sung-Hyup Kim, Sung-Gwang Lee, Kwang-Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 10925462
    Abstract: A dispensing device (1) for a dishwashing machine, the dispensing device (1) including: a body (2) configured to be mounted to a door of the dishwashing machine; a receptacle (3) formed in the body (2) to receive a quantity of a washing or rinsing agent; a movable lid (5) associated with the receptacle (3) and displaceable in a manner constrained to the body (2) against the action of a spring (8) from an open position into a closed position, where it opens and closes the receptacle (3), respectively; a gasket (6) arranged on the lid and a sealing projection (4) arranged on the body, the gasket having a sealing surface (6c) engaged by the sealing projection (4) when the lid (5) is in closed position, in such a way as to provide a seal around the receptacle (3); and a latching apparatus (11, 13) provided for locking the lid (5) in the closed position and operable to release the lid (5) from the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: BITRON POLAND SP. Z O.O.
    Inventor: Lukasz Detko
  • Patent number: 10926949
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted garbage bin cleaning system includes first arms for lifting a first garbage bin, the first arms rotatably coupled to a mount on the vehicle, a hopper for accepting the first garbage bin when the first arms lifts the first garbage bin into the hopper, spray rods extending upwards from the hopper, each spray rod including a high-pressure, rotating water nozzle that sprays a water jet, wherein when the first arms lifts the first garbage bin into the hopper, the spray rods are situated within the first garbage bin, and, second arms configured for grabbing and lifting a second garbage bin smaller than the first garbage bin, the second arms rotatably coupled to the mount on the vehicle in between the first arms, wherein when the second arms lift the second garbage bin into the hopper, a spray rod is situated within the second garbage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SPARKLING BINS, LLC
    Inventor: John Conway
  • Patent number: 10920357
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing apparatus and to a washing apparatus having a convenient user interface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing apparatus that provides a user interface that is concentrated, simple and intuitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jayoen Kim, Youngwoo Kim, Joohyeon Oh, Darae Kim
  • Patent number: 10910964
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Inoue