Patents Examined by Michael E Barr
  • Patent number: 11273799
    Abstract: A manually-operated trailer wash apparatus for washing an interior of a trailer includes a frame with a handle configured to be manually pushed by a human operator and front and rear wheels. Rotatable couplings are disposed between each of the wheels and the frame to rotate the wheels in response to the manual pushing of the handle. A conduit is coupled to the frame and extends transversely across a direction of travel of the apparatus. The conduit has a plurality of nozzles to pressure wash a surface on which the apparatus travels. The conduit receives pressurized fluid from a hose and pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: WashPro Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Lundy, Mark E. Jensen
  • Patent number: 11268231
    Abstract: A washing machine with an improved structure capable of effectively fixing a diaphragm on a tub includes: a cabinet including a first opening; a tub positioned in the inside of the cabinet, and including a second opening and a protruding rib protruding toward a center of the second opening; a drum rotatably positioned in the inside of the tub, and including a third opening; and a diaphragm connecting the first opening with the second opening, and including a first flange and a second flange that are coupled with the tub, wherein the first flange is fixed on an outer surface of the tub and the second flange is coupled with the protruding rib such that an interval between the diaphragm and the third opening is maintained uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Won Park
  • Patent number: 11266292
    Abstract: A device for dispensing detergent into a dishwasher, comprising a cover element for closing off or opening up at least one opening (2) of a reservoir (1) for storing the detergent, wherein the reservoir (1) has at least one base wall (8) arranged opposite the opening (2) and at least one side wall (7) oriented transversely to the base wall (8), is proposed, which device improves on the prior art. This is achieved according to the invention by virtue of the fact that at least one water conducting element (5, 9) is arranged for the conductance and/or guidance of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SANHUA AWECO Appliance Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Boettger, Andreas Pleschinger, Erwin Wunn, Zuo Wang
  • Patent number: 11268229
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a drum and a lifter disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum and configured to rotate with the drum. The lifter includes a lifter frame installed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum and a frame cover coupled to the lifter frame. The lifter frame includes: a frame base coupled to the inner circumferential surface; a frame upper plate having a first water flow through-hole; and a frame sidewall that connects the frame upper plate to the frame base and that defines a second water flow through-hole. The frame cover includes: a cover upper plate having a water flow discharge hole configured to discharge, into the drum, washing water having passed through at least one of the first water flow through-hole or the second water flow through-hole; and a cover sidewall that extends from the cover upper plate to the frame base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: HyeonSik Lee, Junyoung Kim, Hong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 11268235
    Abstract: An apparatus for steam treatment of laundry including an ironing and/or smoothing tool includes at least one hole for the emission of steam and at least one pole which supports an ironing board including a bearing surface that can be arranged vertically and against which a garment to be smoothed can be arranged so that it can be steam-treated using the tool, wherein the board includes at least two parts put end to end and which together at least partially define the bearing surface, and wherein the two parts of the board are connected to one another by at least one connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Nicolas Lauchet
  • Patent number: 11253133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher and a manufacturing method thereof. The dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water guide extending upward from a sump and supplying washing water to an upper nozzle and a top nozzle, and the upper pipe and the top pipe are separately provided to the water guide, so pressure of the washing water applied to the upper pipe and the top pipe can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ganghyun Lee, Hyungman Park, Wook Hong
  • Patent number: 11253135
    Abstract: A wash-aid dispenser (20) for dispensing dishwasher detergent and rinse-aid employs a DC motor (46) and drive train (43) to separately actuate a door (23) for the release of detergent and a valve (21) for the release of rinse-aid allowing reduced noise and reduce energy operation using a single electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Krieger, Michael Osvatic, Jonathan H. Olson
  • Patent number: 11253134
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes: a dishwasher body including a tub that defines a washing space and a sump disposed vertically below the tub and configured to accommodate washing water; a heat pump including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion apparatus, and an evaporator; a drain storage unit connected to a drain pipe of the sump and configured to receive washing water discharged from the sump; a drain pipe open-close valve that opens and closes the drain pipe; and a controller that controls the heat pump and the drain pipe open-close valve. The evaporator is configured to exchange heat with the drain storage unit, and the controller controls the drain pipe open-close valve to open the drain pipe to move washing water of the sump to the drain storage unit when the sump is drained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangheon Yoon, Changyoon Jung
  • Patent number: 11257667
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a semiconductor substrate without damaging its patterned structure via an ultra/mega sonic device comprises applying liquid into a space between the substrate and the sonic device; setting an ultra/mega sonic device power supply at a frequency f1 and power P1; and at zero output before bubble cavitation occurs; followed by at f1 and P1 again after bubble temperature is lowered; detecting power on time (at P1, f1), power off time or amplitude of each waveform output by the power supply; comparing the detected power on time with a preset time T1, power off time with a preset time ?2, amplitude of each waveform with a preset value, if the detected power on time is longer than ?1, or power off time is shorter than ?2, or amplitude of any waveform is larger than the preset value, shut down the power supply and send out an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ACM Research (Shanghai) Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Wang, Hui Wang, Fufa Chen, Fuping Chen, Jian Wang, Xi Wang, Xiaoyan Zhang, Yinuo Jin, Zhaowei Jia, Liangzhi Xie, Xuejun Li
  • Patent number: 11248326
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a sump for collecting wash fluid and a water supply valve for supplying the wash fluid during a fill cycle. A controller is configured for detecting when a pressure sensor of a water level detection system is partially blocked and implementing an incremental fill process. Specifically, the controller is configured for determining a remaining fill volume for the wash fluid to reach the target fill volume, opening the supply valve to provide a fraction of the remaining fill volume into the sump and then closing the supply valve, determining that a sump pressure measured by the water level detection system has stabilized, and repeating these steps until a stopping criterion occurs, such as when a fill cycle limit or a target volume is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan James Scheckelhoff, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 11241734
    Abstract: Provided is a double-station cleaning system comprising a cleaning machine, wherein workpieces are placed into the feeding frames, the feeding frames are placed into trays, the bracket assembly is pushed to drive the trays to move along the guide rail assembly, the feeding frame in one of the trays is conveyed to a feeding inlet of the cleaning machine, the feeding frame is pushed to move along two rows of nylon wheels and linear guide rails inside the cleaning machine, and the feeding frame and the workpieces in the feeding frame are pushed into the cleaning machine so as to be cleaned. The double stations work alternately, so that the work time is saved, and the work efficiency is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hailong Liu, Haipeng Feng, Naili Li, Hongji Zhou, Jiansheng Wang, Zhen Ge, Zhi Chen, Fengbao Luo, Xin Fan, Yongyue Huang
  • Patent number: 11242640
    Abstract: A household appliance, such as a fabric treating appliance and/or a dish treating appliance, incorporating both a bulk dispensing system and a single-use dispensing system, with a single-use dispensing cup having an output that is selectively coupled to one of a treating chamber of the appliance or a bulk treating chemistry reservoir of the bulk dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Sayer J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11242642
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining an interior. A treating chamber is located within the interior. A dispenser is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. The dispenser includes first and second drawers slidable along a slide path relative to the cabinet between opened and closed positions and having one or more treating chemistry chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Andrea Stopponi
  • Patent number: 11236460
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drain pump driving apparatus and a laundry treatment machine including the same. The laundry treatment machine includes: a drain pump driving apparatus configured to drive a drain pump, wherein the drain pump driving apparatus includes: a motor to drive the drain pump; an inverter to convert a direct current (DC) power to an alternating current (AC) power by a switching operation, and output the converted AC power to the motor; an output current detector to detect an output current flowing to the motor; and a controller configured to control the inverter, wherein the controller is further configured to calculate a speed of the motor based on an output current, and calculate a lift, which is a difference between a water level of a water introduction part through which water flows into the drain pump and s water level of a water discharge part for discharging water from the drain pump, based on the calculated speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jungmoon Je, Chungill Lee, Kiwook Lee
  • Patent number: 11236455
    Abstract: A control unit comprises a calculation unit, a determination unit, and a motor rotation control unit. The calculation unit calculates the rate of change in water level, which indicates the amount of change in water level per a predetermined period of time, on the basis of the result of sensing by a water level sensor in connection with a water supply stroke. The determination unit determines whether laundry having a waterproof property is contained in a drum or not on the basis of the rate of change in water level during the water supply stroke calculated by the calculation unit. When it is determined that laundry having a waterproof property is contained in the drum, the motor rotation control unit controls the operation of a driving motor such that the drum is rotated at a predetermined number of rotations or less during the dewatering stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ohyagi, Nobuhiko Shinohara, Minsu Kim, Hiroki Takita
  • Patent number: 11230804
    Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine includes the steps of: processing the laundry by using the water supplied together with detergent; draining the water, rotating the inner tub at a high speed, and operating the pump to drain the water discharged from the laundry; rotating the inner tub at a first speed and supplying the water into the inner tub via the dispenser; stopping the supply of water through the dispenser, rotating the inner tub at a second speed, and supplying the water into the inner tub through the spray nozzle; stopping the supply of water through the spray nozzle and alternately rotating the pulsator at a third speed in both directions; stopping rotation of the pulsator, rotating the inner tub at the second speed, and supplying the water into the inner tub through the spray nozzle; operating the pump to drain the outer tub; and rotating the inner tub at a high speed, and operating the pump to drain the water discharged from the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunho Lee, Youngjong Kim, Hyungkwan Jang
  • Patent number: 11225741
    Abstract: A clothes treating device includes: a cabinet; a tub having an inlet at an upper part; a drum provided inside the tub and having a through-hole on a bottom surface thereof; a stirring part rotatably disposed in through-hole; a driving part provided on the lower part of the stirring part so as to provide power for rotating the stirring part and/or the drum; and a coupling provided between the stirring part and the driving part so as to be rotated by the power, and provided so as to rotate the stirring part and the drum in different directions or rotate only the stirring part when a water level of the tub is greater than or equal to a certain water level, and to rotate the stirring part and the drum in the same direction when the water level is less than to the certain water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaeyong Jeong, Keunjoo Kim, Dongsoo Lee, Oshin Kwon, Sangwook Lee
  • Patent number: 11227778
    Abstract: A wafer cleaning apparatus includes a spin base, a first arm, and a second arm. The spin base is configured to support a wafer. The first arm is disposed above the spin base and configured to supply a chemical solution. The second arm is movably positioned above the spin base, and the second arm is configured to supply a first cleaning solution above the spin base when the first arm abnormally stops supplying the chemical solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shyue-Ru Doong, Feng-Ju Tsai
  • Patent number: 11214908
    Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine with a drum rotatably provided in a tub that receives water, and a circulation pump that circulates water in the washing machine, the method including: rotating the drum in a first rotational direction by a first rotational amount during which laundry is raised on an inner circumferential surface of the drum by a centrifugal force; subsequent to rotating the drum by the first rotational amount, further rotating the drum by a second rotational amount in the first rotational direction during which the laundry falls from the inner circumferential surface of the drum; increasing a pump speed of the circulation pump while the drum is rotated by the first rotational amount in the first rotational direction; and decreasing the pump speed of the circulation pump while the drum is rotated by the second rotational amount in the first rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hwanjin Jung, Myunghun Im, Jaehyun Kim, Junghoon Lee, Kyungchul Woo
  • Patent number: 11214911
    Abstract: A method of selecting between liquid dispensing and powder dispensing in a laundry treating appliance having at least one dispensing chamber for holding a treating chemistry. The method comprises moving a siphon relative to the dispensing chamber between a first position, where the siphon draws liquid from the chamber, and a second position where the siphon opens an outlet in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tobias Bronn, Tibor Budicky, Jan Martinko