Patents Examined by Jason Ko
  • Patent number: 9458563
    Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine having a front opening clothes containing rotary basket with a plurality of elongated internally mounted baffles for agitating items within the basket during a washing operation. The baffles each have a solid outwardly extending rib which has a nonlinear curved configuration for defining a plurality of water lifting and agitating cavities on each side of the baffle. The cavities on one side of the baffle are effective for lifting and agitating wash water with a vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in one rotary direction and the cavities on the opposite side of the baffle are operative for lifting and agitating water with an oppositely directed vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in an opposite rotary direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Alliance Laundry Systems LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Kegler, Andrew Huerth
  • Patent number: 9453300
    Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods for operating washing machine appliances are provided. A washing machine appliance has a tub and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a chamber for receipt of articles for washing. A method includes flowing a first volume of water from an external water source into the tub, agitating the articles within the tub, and, during the agitating step, flowing a second volume of water from the external water source into the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Soultions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Patent number: 9451864
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher. The dishwasher (10) comprises a washing chamber (11) and a water filtering system arranged in the lower part of the washing chamber (11). The water filtering system comprises a filter (20) and a central filter unit (30) that are removable arranged in said washing chamber (11). The filter (20) has a substantially flat shape and is supported around its outer periphery (21) by a contact surface (22) of a recess (24) in the lower part of the washing chamber (11) and is secured in the washing chamber by the central filter unit (30). The unit (30) is arranged in an opening (31) in the filter (20) and comprises a surface (35) that is pressing on the inner periphery (36) of the opening (31) in the filter (20) to secure the filter (20) in the intended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Sarah Tempelmann, Gerhard Haider, Niklas Nordin
  • Patent number: 9449862
    Abstract: A system for processing surfaces of substrates having a process module having a process module frame and a plurality of process elements to process the substrate surfaces without contacting the substrate surfaces. A plurality of substrate holder assemblies, each having a number of substrate holders, each of which is removably coupled to the process module frame, each substrate holder configured to hold a substrate. The process module frame has alignment features aligning the substrate holders in the substrate holder assembly in repeatable alignment with respect to each of the process elements with each of the process elements located between the substrates. A loader module is configured to unload processed substrates from each of the substrate holder assemblies and load unprocessed substrates to each of the substrate holder assemblies. A transporter is configured to transport the substrate holder assemblies to and from the process module and the loader module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TEL NEXX, INC.
    Inventors: Arthur Keigler, Freeman Fisher, Daniel L. Goodman
  • Patent number: 9449807
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding part, a substrate rotating mechanism, and a chamber. The substrate rotating mechanism incudes an annular rotor part disposed in an internal space of the chamber and a stator part disposed around the rotor part outside the chamber. The substrate holding part is attached to the rotor part in the internal space of the chamber. In the substrate rotating mechanism, a rotating force is generated about a central axis between the stator part and the rotor part. The rotor part is thereby rotated about the central axis, being in a floating state, together with a substrate and the substrate holding part. In the substrate processing apparatus, the substrate can be easily rotated in the internal space having excellent sealability. As a result, it is possible to easily perform single-substrate processing in a sealed internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimitsu Namba
  • Patent number: 9447534
    Abstract: A laundry machine is disclosed. The bearing housing and the suspensions may be distant from each other with respect to a radial direction as well as an axial direction of the shaft. As a result, the suspension unit may include a radial bracket extended radially or axial bracket extended axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Tae Song, Hyun Seok Seo, Soo Bong Kim, Ig Geun Kwon, Young Suk Kim, Hee Tae Lim, Min Gyu Jo
  • Patent number: 9443714
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus may include a substrate support having a support surface to support a substrate to be cleaned, wherein the substrate support is rotatable about a central axis normal to the support surface; a first nozzle to provide a first cleaning gas to a region of the inner volume corresponding to the position of an edge of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support surface of the substrate support; a first annular body disposed opposite and spaced apart from the support surface of the substrate support by a gap, the first annular body having a central opening defined by an inner wall shaped to provide a reducing size of the gap between the first annular body and the support surface in a radially outward direction; and a first gas inlet to provide a first gas to the central opening of the first annular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: James Matthew Holden, Song-Moon Suh, Todd Egan, Kalyanjit Ghosh, Leon Volfovski, Michael R. Rice, Richard Giljum
  • Patent number: 9441697
    Abstract: A washing machine having a balancer includes a rotating basket in which laundry is accommodated, the rotating basket being configured to be rotated upon receiving rotation power from a drive source, at least one balancer housing mounted to the rotating basket, the balancer housing internally having an annular channel, and at least one balancing module movably disposed in the channel to alleviate load unbalance caused during rotation of the rotating basket. The balancing module includes a main plate, at least one mass body provided at the main plate, a drive unit mounted to the main plate to assist the balancing module in moving to a position where the balancing module alleviates load unbalance of the rotating basket, and a brush configured to transmit electric power supplied from an external power source to the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Il Sung Bae, Jae Seuk Park, Moo Hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 9435066
    Abstract: Disclosed is a water supply apparatus for washing machines having a simplified structure. The water supply apparatus is usable in a washing machine, which has a drum to accommodate laundry, and a detergent supply apparatus including a dispenser provided with a plurality of channels to supply water to a plurality of detergents to be supplied to the drum, and includes at least one water supply pipe extending from the rear portion of the washing machine to the detergent supply apparatus to supply water to the dispenser, a nozzle provided with one end connected to the at least one water supply pipe and the other end disposed adjacent to entrances of the plurality of channels, and being rotatable to supply water selectively to one of the plurality of channels, a drive unit generating drive force to rotate the nozzle, and a rotation control device to control rotation of the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Song Yik Lee, Dong Il Back
  • Patent number: 9428853
    Abstract: A washing machine having an improved structure which increases washing capacity without increasing the size of the washing machine. The washing machine includes a cabinet including an outer part and a cylindrical inner part connected to the outer part, a spin basket rotatably disposed in the inner part and including a bottom and a side wall extending from the bottom, a pulsator rotatably disposed in the spin basket, a motor provided under the spin basket, a clutch to selectively transmit power of the motor to the spin basket or the pulsator, a base plate to fix the clutch and the motor, and suspension members connecting the base plate to the upper portion of the cabinet. Wash water is stored within the spin basket and is not stored outside the spin basket during a washing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Mook Kim, Doo Pil Kim, Je Hong Min, Kalo Jin Jun, Yong Jong Park, Jae Ryong Park, Dong Pil Seo, Sang Hyeok Lee, In Cheol Jang, Sang Yeon Pyo, Jung Hee Lee, Ji Hoon Choi, Seung Oh Kim
  • Patent number: 9422657
    Abstract: The patent application refers to a washing machine including a cabinet rear (620) which forms a rear side of the washing machine, a tub (10) for holding washing water, a drum (30) rotatably mounted to the tub (10), a drum (30), a bearing housing (400) for rotatably supporting the rotation shaft (351), a motor for rotating the rotation shaft (351), and a suspension assembly (40) for supportably buffering vibration of the drum (30), wherein the washing machine further includes a coupling portion (124a) which is a projection from an outside surface of a rear side of the tub (10) for fastening to the cabinet rear (620).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ig Geun Kwon, Soo Bong Kim
  • Patent number: 9420938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising at least one spray device (20), the spray device having at least one nozzle (10) for discharging washing liquid in the form of a spray jet, where at least one nozzle is adjustable in order to change the characteristics of the spray jet. According the invention the adjustable nozzle (10) is adjustable by an adjusting means comprising a thermal actuator (10, 60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus-Martin Forst, Hansjoerg Lampe
  • Patent number: 9416479
    Abstract: Methods of determining a laundry load size in a laundry treating appliance comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, at least one imaging device, and a controller having a processor, the method includes generating multiple images and determining, by the controller, a load size based on the multiple images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Leitert, Karl David McAllister
  • Patent number: 9416476
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance to adjust the thermal output of the heater to control the total power consumption of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Nyik Siong Wong
  • Patent number: 9416481
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a washing tub disposed in the cabinet, a detergent supply device to supply detergent to the washing tub, a valve housing, having valve devices to control water supply, connected to the detergent supply device, a coupling pipe coupled to a water supply hose outside the cabinet to guide water into the cabinet, and a connection pipe to connect the valve housing to the coupling pipe, wherein the valve housing is directly coupled to the detergent supply device, and the connection pipe is fixed to the valve housing and the coupling pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Young Kim, Doo Young Ryu
  • Patent number: 9410277
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in laundering a garment having cups comprising a flexible panel, a pair of cup supports attached to the flexible panel, and a pair of retainer rings attached to the cup supports to hold each cup of the garment against a corresponding cup support. Each cup support comprises a convex member. Each cup support may include a plurality of apertures formed through the convex member. Each cup may further include a plurality of protrusions to space the cups of the garment away from the convex member. The apparatus includes a water permeable bag extending around the flexible panel. In this case, the flexible panel may be attached to the water permeable bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Sandra Allende
  • Patent number: 9403178
    Abstract: A mobile system for dispensing cleaning fluid at a jobsite comprising a vehicle with wheels and an interior; a lower level provided in the interior; an upper level provided in the interior and separated from the underlying lower level by a deck; a clean fluid supply tank located on the lower level; at least one outflow pump downstream from and in communication with the clean fluid supply tank arranged on the upper level; and, at least one spray hose for dispensing fluid from the clean fluid supply, the spray hose downstream from and in communication with the at least one pump, at least a portion of the at least one spray hose external to the vehicle for dispensing the fluid at the jobsite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: PWS I.P., LLC
    Inventor: William Mologousis
  • Patent number: 9402527
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a wash container for items to be washed and configured to conduct at least water during operation, and a fluid line system having an inlet valve defined by a center line and configured for direct or indirect connection of a water inlet line from a water supply network. Disposed below the wash container is a base support having an outer wall provided with a cutout. The inlet valve is secured by a support part which is lockable in the cutout and has at least one externally open locking holder, into which the inlet valve is lockable and secured therein non-movably in an axial direction. The externally open locking holder is aligned in such a manner that the center line of an inlet of the inlet valve runs at an angle between >0° and <90° in relation to a lower face of the base support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Burkhard, Daniel Delle, Markus Gram, Werner Haltmayer, David Hite, David Schwanitz
  • Patent number: 9404209
    Abstract: A laundry machine is disclosed. The laundry machine includes a tub configured to receive wash water, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, a shaft connected with the drum, a bearing housing (400) configured to support the shaft, a tub back (130) coupled to inner and outer circumferences of a front surface of the bearing housing (400), a rear gasket connected between the tub back (130) and the tub and a suspension unit configured to support vibration of the drum suspendingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Soo Bong Kim, Ig Geun Kwon, Young Suk Kim, Hyun Seok Seo, Min Gyu Jo
  • Patent number: 9399244
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a laboratory fermenter for growing microorganisms is provided. The laboratory fermenter to be cleaned has a gas supply connection connected to a line reaching into the fermenter's nutrient solution, an exhaust connection to the gas space over the nutrient solution, and a withdrawal connection leading to the fermenter's deepest point. The cleaning device includes three cleaning connections, an immersion pipe connection and two gas connections. Flow in each gas connection is controlled via intermediate switch valves having a cleaning start position and a cleaning end position. The cleaning connections are connected via hose lines to hose pinch control valves, a hose pinch pump, at least one filter. A cleaning control manages the cleaning process by controlling flow from and/or to an air connection, a water connection and a waste water connection. The cleaning controller may also control introduction of acids and/or bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Infors AG
    Inventors: Dieter Cueni, Daniel Egger