Patents Examined by Jason Ko
  • Patent number: 9192967
    Abstract: A compact, modular and fully integrateable apparatus for recycling volatile cleaning solvents which can be utilized independently as a stand-alone recycler unit in conjunction with any typical parts washer apparatus (e.g., sink-on-a-drum or immersion type units) in common use. The core modular recycler component can also be fully integrated with a wash basin component and a docking base that is specifically designed to be docked to standard drums containing cleaning solvent, thereby providing a fully integrated recycler/parts washer apparatus that has a significantly reduced footprint. The core modular recycler component includes an outer housing surrounding a distillation chamber with heaters, a condenser and cooling fan, a vacuum/fluid pump, a clean distillate reservoir and a residue discharge port. Periodically, during continuous recycling operations, batches (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SystemOne Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos R. Suarez, Christopher Hiatt
  • Patent number: 9186033
    Abstract: A soiled surface cleaning system is described for pre spraying soiled surface areas, and for rinsing and extracting the pre sprayed soiled surface areas, wherein the pre spraying of the soiled surface areas does not have to be stopped in order to perform the rinsing and extracting of the pre sprayed soiled surface areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Edward Michael Kubasiewicz
  • Patent number: 9187856
    Abstract: In a washing machine according to the present invention, if a washing step is ended, a distribution step that the inner tub containing the washing water is rotated in one direction and fabrics is distributed to a side wall of the inner tub and the washing water is discharged to outside is performed. Because a fabric is evenly distributed in the distribution step, a dehydration step can be performed without carrying out a separate procedure for avoiding unbalance. Therefore, energy such as washing time and power used during the operation of the washing machine and amount of water used can be saved. Also, since a washing machine according to the present invention rotates the inner tub not only during the distribution step but also during the hydration step afterwards, operation of a clutch used to selectively rotate the pulsator and the inner tub at the time of entering to the dehydration step from the distribution step is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Youngjong Kim
  • Patent number: 9188163
    Abstract: A shaft bushing is provided that can be automatically cleaned in place, without requiring manual cleaning by a technician, and that can be used with food processing equipment. The shaft bushing has a body with a circumferential sidewall, opposing ends, and an opening in at least one of the ends the can accept cleaning fluid thereinto. The opening may be defined by ends of longitudinal grooves that extend along the bushing and that may direct the cleaning fluid between the bushing body and the support structure, and/or the bushing body and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Custom Fabricating & Repair, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Isenberg, John E. Zirbel
  • Patent number: 9187855
    Abstract: A modular laundry system comprises at least two horizontally arranged laundry appliances. Each of the at least two laundry appliances have a top, and a worksurface extends over the tops of the at least two laundry appliances. The worksurface can form a continuous surface above the at least two laundry appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin James Gilboe, Lorraine L. Achterberg, James William Kendall
  • Patent number: 9179818
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided with a spray arm assembly. The spray arm assembly defines an orifice for directing liquid out of the spray arm assembly. The orifice can selectively receive a nozzle with a particular outlet geometry. By selectively receiving the nozzle, a spray pattern of liquid exiting the orifice can be changed by replacing or modifying the nozzle without remanufacturing or replacing the spray arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Whitney Gnadinger, Ronald Scott Tarr, Satish Kumar Raju Buddharaju
  • Patent number: 9174711
    Abstract: Device for maneuvering and propulsion of a cleaning apparatus for removal of marine fouling from marine installations below surface. The device at least includes an induction part adapted to supply a fluid at high pressure, a nozzle with an inlet for supply of the fluid at high pressure, and a tubular body with an induction side and an outlet where said nozzle is arranged close to the induction side. The device also includes a system for cleaning of marine installations where one or more devices for maneuvering and propulsion are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: MPI TROND SIVERTSEN
    Inventor: Trond Sivertsen
  • Patent number: 9175431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine for treating laundry. One embodiment of the laundry machine may include a water supply valve, a drum (30) in which laundry is placed, a tub (20) in which the drum (30) is rotatably placed, the tub (20) having an extended portion (23a) which extends forward and have an opening at a front portion thereof for laundry entrance, and a tub water supply portion (140), and a water supply line to guide water from the water supply valve to the tub water supply portion (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Kim, Soo Bong Kim, Jung Tae Song, Ig Geun Kwon, Suk Yun Moon, Hee Tae Lim, Dong Il Lee
  • Patent number: 9167951
    Abstract: Dishwasher appliances are provided. A dishwasher appliance includes a tub defining a chamber for the receipt of articles for cleaning, a sump for collecting liquid from the chamber, a fluid circulation conduit for circulating liquid in the tub, and a first pump downstream of and in fluid communication with the sump. The dishwasher appliance further includes an adsorption assembly, the adsorption assembly including a desiccant module and an adsorption conduit extending through the desiccant module. The dishwasher appliance further includes a second pump downstream of and in fluid communication with the adsorption conduit, the second pump further upstream of the sump. The dishwasher appliance further includes a first heater spaced from the adsorption assembly, the first heater operable to heat liquid flowed therethrough from the first pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shree Kumar, Ronald Scott Tarr
  • Patent number: 9167949
    Abstract: The portable, compact, silverware washing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is manufactured so as to easily mount on top of a kitchen countertop or to be easily portable to other locales. The appliance is designed so as to not be connected to a water supply within a home or apartment, but rather rely upon the user to pour in an independent supply of water. The device includes a motor and pump assembly to fill a washing chamber with water and detergent, while a sonic transducer bombards the silverware loaded therein with sonic vibrations. The pump assembly automatically drains the water and waste after completion of the washing cycle. The appliance is configured with a specialized basket for holding the silverware in individualized compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Shaun Lemley
    Inventor: Shaun Lemley
  • Patent number: 9162651
    Abstract: A vehicle wash system is disclosed that has a vehicle path for movement of a vehicle. The system comprises a support frame, a first beam member mounted to the support frame and a second beam member mounted to the support frame for vertical movement relative to the support frame. The second beam member is spaced from the first beam member. The first and second beam members each have associated therewith a vehicle treatment apparatus. Each of the first beam member and second beam member are movable between (a) operational positions wherein first and second beam members extend across the vehicle path and the treatment apparatus is operable to apply a treatment to a vehicle on the vehicle path and (b) vehicle release positions wherein the beam members do not extend across the vehicle path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ryko Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. MacNeil
  • Patent number: 9155446
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a dispenser assembly, having a top plate portion and a rear plate portion, mounted to a dishwasher liner through at least one mechanical fastener which projects through the liner, extends freely through the rear plate portion and is secured to the top plate portion. Disposed between the liner and the rear panel portion is a seal, either a flat seal or a radial seal. In addition, a trim member, which can be hinged to the top plate portion or formed as a separate component, is provided about a periphery of the top plate portion and seats upon the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron P. Bennett, Paul E. Beshears, Jr., Michael F. Gregory, Richard L. Kretz, Elliott V. Stowe, Christopher C. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9153462
    Abstract: A device and system for thin wafer cleaning is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a spin chuck having at least three holding clamps. A thin wafer with a wafer frame is mounted on the spin chuck through a tape layer. When the holding clamps are unlocked, there is no interference with the removal and placement of the wafer frame. On the other hand, when the holding clamps are locked, the holding clamps are brought into contact with the outer edge of the wafer frame so as to prevent the wafer frame from moving laterally. Furthermore, the shape of the holding clamps in a locked position is capable of preventing the wafer frame from moving vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Liang Lin, Weng-Jin Wu, Jing-Cheng Lin, Wen-Chih Chiou
  • Patent number: 9139166
    Abstract: A vehicle washing system. The vehicle washing system includes a vehicle washing system component. Also, provided is an apparatus for moving the vehicle relative to vehicle washing system component. The speed of the relative motor of the vehicle is selected either by an operator automatically or may be varied to vary the vehicle throughput through the vehicle wash. A control unit is provided. The control unit senses the speed of movement of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle washing system. The control unit adjusts the vehicle washing system component for coordinating the vehicle washing system component in accordance with the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Thomas E. Weyandt, Curtis S. Prater
  • Patent number: 9138123
    Abstract: A dishwasher comprising liquid lines that guide washing liquor towards spray devices arranged inside a washing receptacle. In an exemplary embodiment, the dishwasher includes a switch-over element, upon actuation of which, the washing liquor may be guided to a first liquid line leading to a first spray device, and/or to a second liquid line leading to a second spray device. The dishwasher may include at least one supplementary filter associated with the switch-over element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Egbert Classen, Helmut Jerg, Hans-Peter Nannt, Kai Paintner, Thomas Wachinger
  • Patent number: 9139947
    Abstract: Provided is a washing and drying machine (1), including: a dewatering tub (30); a blower path (71) leading to the dewatering tub (30); another blower path (81) leading to an outside of the washing and drying machine; an ion generator (75) for generating ions having sterilizing and deodorizing actions, the ion generator (75) being arranged on the blower path (71); blower means (70) for blowing the ions generated from the ion generator (75); blower-path switching means (76) for switching the blower path leading to the dewatering tub (30) and the another blower path leading to the outside of the washing and drying machine to each other; and control means (51) for activating the ion generator (75), the blower means (70), and the blower-path switching means (76) in a predetermined mode based on an operation condition of the washing and drying machine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiko Hayashi, Hideyuki Ryohke, Yasuhiro Kuge, Hitoshi Morita
  • Patent number: 9138125
    Abstract: A water-conducting household appliance having a heating element to heat washing liquid; a reservoir to store the washing liquid; and a reservoir cleaning program during which the reservoir is at least temporarily and at least partially filled with the washing liquid heated by the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Heisele, Christian Mutschler, Roland Rieger
  • Patent number: 9127419
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted apparatus for high-pressure fluid blasting to remove material from or otherwise treat a surface, the apparatus comprising: a high-pressure fluid supply connected to a nozzle assembly containing at least one nozzle, the nozzle assembly being supported for movement along a track mounted transversely on the vehicle; and a suction device for conveying airflow and removed material through a conduit from the nozzle assembly to a treatment zone within the vehicle, the treatment zone having a separation means for accumulating removed material, a means for conveying airflow from the separation means to the suction device, and a means for conveying the removed material to a storage zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: AQUAMAX-DEVCO LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Holmes Robinson
  • Patent number: 9119523
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance with a tub that defines a wash chamber is provided. A rack assembly is received within the wash chamber and includes a projection that extends from a front of the rack assembly. The projection is configured to engage a door of the dishwasher appliance and position the rack assembly in a retracted position when the door is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Matthew McDaniel, Darrell W. Shewmaker, Ryan James Diener, William Nathan Garnett, Daniel J. Hart, Carl Joseph Rhodes, Jr., Rebecca Ann Eakins
  • Patent number: 9121125
    Abstract: Provided is a washing machine. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a drum, and a whirling nozzle. The cabinet defines the exterior. The drum is provided in the cabinet, and rotates with laundry held therein. The whirling nozzle changes wash water into whirling water to spray the whirling water into the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Wooyoung Kim, Youngho Kim, Jaehyun Kim, Moonhee Hong, Changoh Kim, Kyungchul Woo, Myonghun Im, Sangheon Lee, Jaewon Chang, Sooyoung Oh, Jongmin Lee