Patents Examined by Michael E Barr
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Patent number: 11072877Abstract: An automatic transferring washer and dryer combination appliance includes a washing unit and drying unit that are coupled to a housing and are positioned in an upper portion and a lower portion of the housing, respectively. A chute extends between the washing unit and the drying unit. A first orifice and a second orifice are positioned in a tub of the washing unit and a drum of the drying unit, respectively. A plurality of first doors and a plurality of second doors, which are coupled to the tub and to the drum, respectively, are positioned to selectively close the first orifice the second orifice, respectively. The first doors and the second doors are positioned to be selectively opened so that the first orifice and the second orifice align with the chute so that the chute is configured for gravitational transfer of washed articles from the tub to the drum.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Inventors: Donald Jones, Sharon Jones
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Patent number: 11066774Abstract: A dispenser for the laundry treating appliance has a siphon for handling liquid treating chemistries and a float mechanism for handling solid treating chemistries, especially in the form of powders, in the same chamber. The dispenser can thus be operable for either or both types of treating chemistries with a single chamber and without having to reconfigure anything.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Marcos Javier Rios Acebal
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Patent number: 11064862Abstract: A dishwashing system includes: a dishwasher that washes tableware contained in a dishwashing rack, inside a washing chamber; a carry-in stand for placing the dishwashing rack that is to be carried into the washing chamber on; a carry-out stand for placing the dishwashing rack that is carried out from the washing chamber on; and a robot device including a robot arm mechanism. The carry-in stand and the dishwasher are arranged within a movable range of the robot arm mechanism. The robot arm mechanism transfers the dishwashing rack from the carry-in stand to the washing chamber, and also operates the dishwasher.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignees: FANUC CORPORATION, YOSHINOYA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.Inventors: Woo-Keun Yoon, Hiroaki Matsuda
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Patent number: 11060228Abstract: A washing machine including a plurality of washers may include a fixing bracket coupled to a front of a first housing in which a first tub is disposed and a front of a second housing in which a second tub is disposed, to prevent the first housing and the second housing from being separated from each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Baek Gyu Kwon, Dong-Won Kim, Do Yun Lee, Bo-Kyun Kim, Geon Ho Lee
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Patent number: 11058281Abstract: A dishwasher utilizes one or more sensors capable of detecting when a rack is at an operative position at which the rack is positioned within the wash tub during washing and/or an extended position at which at least a portion of the rack is extended beyond the wash tub for loading or unloading of utensils, thereby allowing image captures by a camera to be timed relative to the movement of the rack into, between and/or away from the operative and/or extended positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman
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Patent number: 11053633Abstract: Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus configured to condense moisture by supplying cooling water to the interior of a tub containing laundry therein. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a tub, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, a cooling water port provided at the inner rear surface of the tub so as to be adjacent to the inner side surface of the tub in order to supply cooling water along the inner side surface of the tub, and a guide rib formed so as to protrude from the inner side surface of the tub in a radially inward direction of the tub and to extend from the cooling water port toward the front side of the tub in order to disperse the cooling water supplied from the cooling water port on the inner surface of the tub. The apparatus is capable of reducing energy consumption and improving drying performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyunwoo Noh, Changoh Kim, Sangwook Hong
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Patent number: 11047083Abstract: A dispensing device for a liquid, including a reservoir inside which a holding chamber for a liquid is defined; a ram movable inside the holding chamber, wherein between the ram and the seat a variable volume working chamber is defined, able to communicate with the holding chamber; and a non-return valve, arranged at the outlet opening and downstream of the seat. During the stroke of the ram from a forward end-of-stroke position to a backward end-of-stroke position the liquid flows from the holding chamber to the working chamber, and during the stroke of the ram from the backward end-of-stroke position to the forward end-of-stroke position the liquid is dispensed out from the working chamber through an outlet opening. The device further includes an actuating group arranged outside of the holding chamber and capable of contactlessly controlling motion of the ram.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: ELBI INTERNATIONAL S.p.A.Inventor: Giuseppe Marone
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Patent number: 11045846Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a hose handling system having a hose guide plumbed via a wash line to a fluid delivery device. The hose guide includes a pulley installed on a frame member, and a spray nozzle adapted to dispense a wash mixture. The hose guide is adapted to guide a hose as the hose is inserted into or withdrawn from a manhole, with the hose traversing the pulley. The wash mixture can be delivered through a wash line to the hose guide, which sprays the wash mixture on the hose in order to reduce or eliminate gross contamination or microbial contamination on the hose. The wash mixture typically, but not necessarily, has a freezing point below 32° F. and includes: a quaternary ammonium compound, an alcohol or glycol, an alcohol ethoxylate, and a fragrance.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Inventor: Thomas P. Suiter
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Patent number: 11045066Abstract: A dishwasher and method for operating the same utilize a rack-mounted rotatable conduit incorporating a keyed connector disposed at an end thereof and configured to mate with a rotatable docking port disposed on a wall of a wash tub at a predetermined angular relationship when the rack is in the washing position such that rotation of the rotatable docking port causes rotation of the rotatable conduit.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Joel Boyer, Robert M. Digman
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Patent number: 11041268Abstract: An anti-overflow device at a drum water injection port for a drum washing machine comprises a water flow baffle. The water flow baffle extends along an outer drum to an inner drum and is installed at the water injection port, and water flow is blocked to run back into the water injection port along with the inner drum at a high speed. The anti-overflow device further comprises a blocking rib, and the blocking rib is arranged on the inner side of the water injection port and close to the outer drum. The drum washing machine comprises the anti-overflow device at the drum water injection port. The principle of fluid mechanics is adopted in the anti-overflow device at the drum water injection port, the change of liquid flow in the drum is realized, and the anti-overflow effect is good.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Bencai Huang, Qidui Liang, Jingde Li
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Patent number: 11033840Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to part separation and cleaning devices. In an embodiment, a part separation and cleaning apparatus is included having a liquid holding tub defining an interior volume. The liquid holding tub can include a bottom pan defining a center aperture and an outer perimeter, a perimeter wall attached to the bottom pan adjacent to the outer perimeter thereof and a center sleeve attached to the bottom pan over the central aperture and extending upward away from the bottom pan. The apparatus can further include a motor and a drive shaft. An indexing plate within the liquid holding tub can be connected to the drive shaft. The indexing plate can rotate and can include a plurality of discrete compartments. A control circuit can be configured to cause the drive unit to initiate an indexing movement in response to a received signal. Other embodiments are also included herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: U.M.C., Inc.Inventor: Anthony Scott Hennen
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Patent number: 11035071Abstract: A method for detecting drain standpipe height in a washing machine appliance includes activating a drain pump such that the drain pump flows wash fluid from a tub to a drain standpipe, determining a height of the drain standpipe, and adjusting operation of the washing machine appliance in response to the determined height of the drain standpipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Fikreadam Abebe Damtew
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Patent number: 11027580Abstract: A wheel for an autonomous cleaning robot that maneuvers the robot on a floor surface includes a tire having first and second opposing outer edges and a middle portion having a tread pattern between the first and second outer edges, the tread pattern comprising a plurality of raised tread having trenches therebetween. Each of the plurality of raised tread includes a first raised tread portion extending from the first outer edge to the middle portion and substantially perpendicular to the first and second outer edges; a second raised tread portion extending at an angle away from the first raised tread portion; and a third raised tread portion extending from the second raised tread portion to the second outer edge and substantially perpendicular to the first and second outer edges, the third raised tread portion being laterally offset from the first raised tread portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Christopher Robin Grace, Lindsay Louise Wright, Timothy James Haughton, Marcus R. Williams, John Reimels, Timothy William Fleck
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Patent number: 11028520Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a housing, a tub, a drum, a top cover located above the housing and configured to cover an upper portion of the tub and the drum, a detergent box, a distributor configured to receive washing water from an external water supply source and to distribute washing water, a detergent water supply pipe connected to the distributor, and a tub water supply pipe connected to the distributor. The top cover includes a distributor holder located at a rear portion of the top cover and configured to support the distributor, a detergent box holder located at a front portion of the top cover and configured to support the detergent box, and a first pass through that allows the detergent water supply pipe to pass through the top cover from an upper portion of the top cover to a lower portion of the top cover.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jihong Lee, Minkyu Sang
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Patent number: 11028516Abstract: A washing machine including a washing tub capable of improving a washing effect and dehydration efficiency of the laundry is provided. The washing machine includes: a body; a washing tub configured to be rotatably provided in the body, accommodate a laundry therein, and have a cylindrical shape; a plurality of recessed portions configured to be formed in an inner circumferential surface of the washing tub and be arranged in the plural in a circumferential direction of the washing tub to form a pattern; and first dehydrating holes configured to be formed in the respective recessed portions, wherein the respective recessed portions are formed in a length direction of the washing tub.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jung-hee Lee, Jeong-hoon Kang, Kwan-woo Hong, Min-sung Kim, Dae-uk Kang, Kyung-han Kim, Ju-bum Han
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Patent number: 11014801Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a coupler for use in a closed transfer system configured to selectively engage a container seated in fluid communication with the coupler. The coupler has a body with a slot having an axial component, and an outlet. A probe extends from a first end portion to a second end portion and is at least partially received within the body, the probe is configured to be movable relative to the body between a first position and a second position to selectively control a flow of fluid through the outlet. A probe tip with a cylindrical bore is configured to engage the second end portion of the probe, and a handle is coupled to the probe and configured to interface with the slot. Axial movement of the handle along the slot moves the probe between the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger James, Ben Freeston, Claire Potter, Richard Garnett, Sam Pullen
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Patent number: 11006811Abstract: A rack detection system for a dishwasher, including: a docking system including a plug disposed on a rack, such as a lower rack, and configured to dock with a docking hole of a water supply tube on condition that the lower rack is in an operational position within the dishwasher; and a controller configured to sense a load on the pump motor of a pump for pumping water to the water supply tube and determine if the load on the pump motor is within predetermined operating limits. On condition that the lower rack is removed from the operational position within the dishwasher and the plug is not docked with the water supply tube such that water flows out of the docking hole, the controller is configured to sense that the load on the pump motor is outside the predetermined operating limits and shuts down the dishwasher.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignees: BSH Home Appliances Corporation, BSH Hausgeräte GmbHInventors: Shane Blackmon, Deborah Harr, Shaun Jones
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Patent number: 11006812Abstract: A handle assembly for an appliance door includes a handle frame mounted over a handle aperture defined in the appliance door. The handle frame defines a pocket recess for receiving a pocket handle, which is spaced apart from the handle frame to define an illumination gap for receiving a status indicator, such as a light pipe which may transmit light without directing that light into the pocket recess. The light pipe is illuminated by a lighting assembly including a light board having a plurality of light sources mounted thereon and positioned at a rear of the light pipe, wherein at least two of the light sources illuminate in different colors.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Bradley Duane Ford, Jr.
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Patent number: 11008690Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry processing apparatus comprising: a tub for storing water and provided with an opening for putting in and taking out laundry; a drum, provided in the interior of the tub, for storing the laundry supplied through the opening; an agitator rotatably provided inside the drum; a rotating shaft connected to the agitator by penetrating the tub and drum; a driving part for rotating the rotating shaft; a connecting part having a connecting body fixed to the drum, and a body-penetrating hole which is provided so as to penetrate the connecting body and through which the rotating shaft is inserted; and a power transmission part, provided inside the body-penetrating hole and connecting the rotating shaft and connecting body, for transmitting the driving power provided by the rotating shaft to the connecting body only when the rotating shaft is rotating in either the clock-wise direction or counter-clock-wise direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Dongsoo Lee, Kyosoon Chae, Oshin Kwon, Keunjoo Kim, Jaeyong Jeong, Sangwook Lee
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Patent number: 11000855Abstract: An unclogging system for the plumbing of a sink/garbage disposal assembly including a water supply line, a sink drain waste line, a garbage disposal waste line, and an end-outlet tee having a first inlet, a second inlet connected to the sink drain waste line, and an interior baffle disposed adjacent to the first inlet. The system includes a coupling adaptor having a waste-in end attached to the garbage disposal waste line, a waste-out end attached to the first inlet, a hollow interior for the passage of fluid/waste therethrough, and an inlet port. A water jet tube extending through the inlet port into the interior directs water toward the waste-out end and at the baffle. A solenoid valve allowing a flow of water from the water supply line to the water jet tube is coupled to a power outlet, which simultaneously powers the solenoid valve and the garbage disposal.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Inventor: Richard A. Moon